quotes about Temptation
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Temptation exercises our faith and teaches us to pray.
-- A. B. Simpson -
Some temptations cannot be fought. One must close one's mind and fly from them
-- A.J. CroninSource : A.J Cronin (1942). “the Keys of the Kingdom”
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Where there is no temptation, there is no virtue.
-- Agnes Repplier -
The temptation shared by all forms of intelligence: cynicism.
-- Albert Camus -
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And so, resisting the temptation to wallow in artistic remorse, I prefer to leave both well and ill alone and to think about something else
-- Aldous Huxley -
Half at least of all morality is negative and consists in keeping out of mischief. The lords prayer is less than 50 words long, and 6 of those words are devoted to asking god not to lead us into temptation.
-- Aldous Huxley -
Let our posterity know that we their ancestors, uncultured and unlearned, amid all trials and temptations, were men of integrity.
-- Alexander Crummell -
We are all tempted, Mma. We are all tempted when it comes to cake.
-- Alexander McCall Smith -
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But Satan now is wiser than of yore, and tempts by making rich, not making poor.
-- Alexander Pope -
Resist the temptation to think what afflicts you is peculiar to you. Have faith that what is in your consciousness can be communicated to the consciousness of all. And is, in many cases, already there.
-- Alice Walker -
It is a sin when I place myself deliberately in the place of temptation… either because I enjoy the prospect or because I’m not determined enough in my desire to overcome it.
-- Alistair Begg -
It often happens that we pray God to deliver us from some dangerous temptation, and yet God does not hear us but permits the temptation to continue troubling us. In such a case, let us understand that God permits even this for our greater good. When a soul in temptation recommends itself to God, and by His aid resists, O how it then advances in perfection.
-- Alphonsus Liguori -
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The way to Heaven is straight and narrow: they who wish to arrive at that place of bliss by walking in the paths of pleasure shall be disappointed; and therefore few reach it, because few are willing to use violence to themselves in resisting temptations.
-- Alphonsus Liguori -
In temptations against chastity, the spiritual masters advise us, not so much to contend with the bad thought, as to turn the mind to some spiritual, or, at least, indifferent object. It is useful to combat other bad thoughts face to face, but not thoughts of impurity.
-- Alphonsus Liguori -
When we find ouselves in some grave danger we must not lose courage but firmly trust in God, for where there is the greatest danger, there is also the greatest help from Him who wants to be called our 'Help' in times of peace and in times of tribulation.
-- Ambrose -
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
-- Ambrose Bierce -
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TALK, v.t. To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose.
-- Ambrose Bierce -
ASPERSE, v.t. Maliciously to ascribe to another vicious actions which one has not had the temptation and opportunity to commit.
-- Ambrose Bierce -
Mature people must find their own ways to cope with their own temptations.
-- Amy Dickinson -
Ignorance of true pleasure more frequently than temptation to that which is false, leads to vice.
-- Ann Radcliffe -
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It is a temptation for me to wear all my rings at once.
-- Anna Held -
Idleness is a constant sin, and labor is a duty. Idleness is the devil's home for temptation and for unprofitable, distracting musings; while labor profit others and ourselves
-- Anne Baxter -
That was my nature - going from temptation after temptation, not to sin, but to be redeemed.
-- Anne Rice -
It struck me, sharp and hard, that I had been given so many chances to save my soul that my entire life had been constructed around these chances! That was my nature - going from temptation to temptation, not to sin, but to be redeemed.
-- Anne Rice -
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You oughtn't to yield to temptation. Well, somebody must, or the thing becomes absurd.
-- Anthony HopeSource : 'The Dolly Dialogues' (1894) no. 14
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This is the great work of a man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God, and toexpect temptation to his last breath.
-- Anthony the Great -
Some are wrong because they are not strong enough to fight temptation and some some are wrong because they do not know.
-- Arsene Wenger -
It is fundamental that the great powers of Congress to conduct war and to regulate the Nation's foreign relations are subject to the constitutional requirements of due process. The imperative necessity for safeguarding these rights to procedural due process under the gravest of emergencies has existed throughout our constitutional history, for it is then, under the pressing exigencies of crisis, that there is the greatest temptation to dispense with fundamental constitutional guarantees which, it is feared, will inhibit governmental action.
-- Arthur Goldberg -
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The difference between those whom the world esteems as good and those whom it condemns as bad, is in many cases little else than that the former have been better sheltered from temptation.
-- Augustus William Hare -
Consider the reasons which make us certain that we are right, but not the fact that we are certain. If you are not convinced, ignore our certainty. Don't be tempted to substitute our judgment for your own.
-- Ayn Rand -
When you're not happy, you need to be strong to change, resisting the temptation of turning back. The weak goes nowhere
-- Ayrton Senna -
Wish there was something that I could say or do, I can resist anything but the temptation from you. But I'd rather walk alone than chase you around, I'd rather fall myself then let you drag me on down.
-- Ben Harper -
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Ah! when in the immortal ranks enlisted, I sometimes wonder if we shall not find That not by deeds, but by what we've resisted, Our places are assigned.
-- Benjamin Whichcote -
The habit of virtue cannot be formed in a closet. Habits are formed by acts of reason in a persevering struggle through temptation.
-- Bernard Gilpin -
Prayer is a virtue that prevaileth against all temptations.
-- Bernard of Clairvaux -
It’s the great temptation for small groups of people to slide into a state where they’re not quite telling each other the truth and they’re not quite celebrating each other. Instead, they tolerate each other, they accommodate each other, and they settle for sitting on the unspoken matters that separate them.
-- Bill Hybels -
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It is not the temptations you have, but the decision you make about them that counts.
-- Billy GrahamSource : Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, Donna Lee Toney (2011). “Billy Graham in Quotes”, Thomas Nelson Inc
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There is nothing new about humanism. It is the yielding to Satan's first temptation of Adam and Eve: "Ye shall be as gods." (Gen. 3:5)
-- Billy Graham -
Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.
-- Billy SundaySource : Billy Sunday, William Thomas Ellis (1917). “Billy Sunday, the Man and His Message: With His Own Words which Have Won Thousands for Christ”
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St. Augustine teaches us that there is in each man a Serpent, an Eve, and an Adam. Our senses and natural propensities are the Serpent; the excitable desire is the Eve; and reason is the Adam. Our nature tempts us perpetually; criminal desire is often excited; but sin is not completed till reason consents.
-- Blaise Pascal -
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I gaze into the doorway of temptation's angry flame And every time I pass that way I always hear my name
-- Bob Dylan -
It was a decision to work clean. I just prefer to work that way. I have no problem with comedians who don't work that way. There was a temptation in the early '70s to reconsider. I decided against it.
-- Bob Newhart -
The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.
-- Bob Parsons -
There’s an old Chinese saying that I just love, and I believe it is so true. It goes like this: ‘The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.’
-- Bob Parsons -
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I always loved Little Anthony and the Imperials. They were like the precursors of the Temptations. I loved their music.
-- Bobby Keys -
Money, big money (which is actually a relative concept) is always, under any circumstances, a seduction, a test of morals, a temptation to sin.
-- Boris Yeltsin -
There is a temptation for the writer or the teacher of church history to want to tell everything, whether it is worthy or faith promoting or not. Some things that are true are not very useful.
-- Boyd K. PackerSource : "The Mantle Is Far, Far Greater Than the Intellect" by Boyd K. Packer, www.lds.org. 2004.
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Despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.
-- Boyd K. Packer -
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Everyone is tested. One might think it is unfair to be singled out and subjected to a particular temptation, but this is the purpose of mortal life—to be tested. And the answer is the same for everyone: we must, and we can, resist temptations of any kind.
-- Boyd K. Packer -
The temptation of the age is to look good without being good.
-- Brennan Manning -
I listen to a lot of old stuff like Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations.
-- Brett Davern -
Never complain, never explain. Resist the temptation to defend yourself or make excuses.
-- Brian TracySource : FaceBook post by Brian Tracy from Jul 26, 2014
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Every time the enemy throws us off our guard, and we give way to temptation, he gains so much; he weakens us and strengthens himself; when we resist temptation, it strengthens the Saints and weakens the enemy.
-- Brigham Young -
My dad was into the 1950s doo-wop era. If you look at those groups, or at James Brown, Jackie Wilson and the Temptations in the 1960s, you'll see you had to be sharp onstage.
-- Bruno Mars -
I have found that people who can successfully resist temptation invariably lead depressingly stunted lives.
-- C.D. PayneSource : C.D. Payne (2009). “Youth in Revolt: Now a major motion picture from Dimension Films starring Michael Cera”, p.33, Broadway Books
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Nothing is easier than spending public money. It does not appear to belong to anybody. The temptation is overwhelming to bestow it on somebody.
-- Calvin Coolidge -
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to tempt and be tempted are closely allied; and in spite of all the finest moral maxims buried in the mind, when emotion interferes, when feeling makes its appearance, one is already much further involved that one realizes, and I have still not learnt how to prevent its appearance.
-- Catherine the Great -
For to tempt and to be tempted are things very nearly allied - whenever feeling has anything to do in the matter, no sooner is it excited than we have already gone vastly farther than we are aware of.
-- Catherine the Great -
Do not romanticize the poor...We are all people, human beings subject to the same temptations and faults as all others. Our poverty damages our dignity.
-- Cesar Chavez -
In the tumult of men and events, solitude was my temptation; now it is my friend. What other satisfaction can be sought once you have confronted History?
-- Charles de Gaulle -
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Do today's duty, fight today's temptation; do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them.
-- Charles Kingsley -
Some temptations come to the industrious, but all temptations attack the idle
-- Charles Spurgeon -
Temptation out of reach does you no good.
-- Craig JohnsonSource : Craig Johnson (2013). “The Walt Longmire Mystery Series Boxed Set”, p.236, Penguin
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It is a cheap zeal that reserves its passions to combat only the sins and temptations of others.
-- D. A. Carson -
The experiments show quite clearly that, as you resist more and more temptation, you're actually more and more likely to fail.
-- Dan Ariely -
When a man resists sin on human motive only, he will not hold out long.
-- Daniel H. Wilson -
There's a great temptation to clean everything up and make everything more perfect. You have to know when to stop and stop doing it, or you might end up with something that sounds metronomic.
-- David Byrne -
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There's an awful temptation to just keep on researching. There comes a point where you just have to stop, and start writing.
-- David McCullough -
The temptation to entertain instead of selling is contagious.
-- David Ogilvy -
I have been exposed to a great amount of temptation throughout the course of my career.
-- DeForest Kelley -
Being free means "being free for the other," because the other has bound me to him. Only in relationship with the other am I free
-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer -
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Our response to temptation reveals the substance of our faith.
-- Dillon Burroughs -
Why resist temptation? There will always be more.
-- Don HeroldSource : Don Herold (1925). “Bigger & better”
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We all have the temptation to be backseat drivers when it comes to decisions that don't work out the way we want.
-- Don Mattingly -
My Christmas prayer is that I would remain close to God, and He close to me. With all the suffering in the world today, there is the temptation to fall to fear… we need to be near the Lord.. we need the Hope of Christmas.
-- Don MoenSource : "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life". Book by Shantideva, www.huffingtonpost.com. c. 700 AD.
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I am human because God made me. I experience suffering and temptation because mankind chose to follow Satan. God is reaching out to me to rescue me. I am learning to trust Him, learning to live by His precepts that I might be preserved.
-- Donald Miller -
If you are going to be underestimated by people who speak more rapidly, the temptation is to speak slowly and strategically and outwit them.
-- Doris Betts -
The dangerous temptation of wildlife films is that they can lull us into thinking we can get by without the original models -- that we might not need animals in the flesh.
-- Doug Peacock -
One of the evils of money is that it tempts us to look at it rather than at the things that it buys.
-- E. M. Forster -
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Victorious living does not mean freedom from temptation, nor does it mean freedom from mistakes.
-- E. Stanley Jones -
Ever notice that the whisper of temptation can be heard farther than the loudest call to duty.
-- Earl Wilson -
It’s all about sticking to your plan and experiencing feelings as they arise. If you are unwilling to feel your feelings, the temptation is to avoid them by jumping off your system
-- Ed Seykota -
I have always derived indescribable pleasure from leading a decent woman to the edge of sin and leaving her there to live between the temptation and the fear of that sin.
-- Edmond de Goncourt -
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How many perils doe enfold The righteous man to make him daily fall.
-- Edmund Spenser -
So you tell yourself you are pretty find clay To have tricked temptation and turned it away, But wait, my friend, for a different day; Wait till you want to want to!
-- Edmund Vance Cooke -
The temptation is not here, where you are reading about it or praying about it. It is down in your shop, among bales and boxes, ten-penny nails, and sand-paper.
-- Edwin Hubbel Chapin -
Knowledge of God's Word is a bulwark against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution.
-- Edwin Louis Cole -
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Temptation can be tormenting, but remember: The torment of temptation to sin is nothing to compare with the torment of the consequences of sin. Remorse and regret cannot compensate for sin....though sins can be forgiven immediately - the consequences can last a lifetime
-- Edwin Louis Cole -
A standing army is like a standing member. It's an excellent assurance of domestic tranquility, but a dangerous temptation to foreign adventure.
-- Elbridge GerrySource : Constitutional Convention, 1787.
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Sooner or later every gardener must face the fact that certain things are going to die on him. It is a temptation to be anthropomorphic about plants, to suspect that they do it to annoy.
-- Eleanor Perenyi -
Temptations make one very censorious. If you are virtuous you condemn the wicked and if you are wicked, you condemn the virtuous.
-- Elizabeth Bibesco -
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Being a poet is one of the unhealthier jobs--no regular hours, so many temptations!
-- Elizabeth BishopSource : Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Lowell (2008). “Words in Air: The Complete Correspondence Between Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell”
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When you handle books all day long, every new one is a friend and a temptation.
-- Elizabeth KostovaSource : Elizabeth Kostova (2010). “The Historian”, p.19, Hachette UK
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This mortal probation is a brief period-just a short span, linking the eternity of the past with the eternity of the future. Yet it was to be a period of tremendous importance. It is, in fact, the most vital period of our entire eternal existence. In this mortal state we come face to face with innumerable temptations and pressures. Sometimes we come in contact with advocates of wrongdoing, disobedience, and sin. Lucifer is going about tempting those who can be tempted to see if he can lead them astray.
-- ElRay L. Christiansen -
Between the demand to be clear,and the temptation to be obscure, impossible to decide which deserves more respect.
-- Emile M. Cioran -
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You are out of the way of temptation and out of the way of the tempter - I didn't mean to make you wicked - but I was - and am - and shall be - and I was with you so much that I couldn't help contaminate.
-- Emily Dickinson -
O help me Father in heaven to overcome and resist temptation in every form or shape.
-- Emmeline B. Wells -
wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to temptation!
-- Eric Jerome Dickey -
Money is emphasized in Scripture simply because our temptation to love it is inexplicably powerful.
-- Erwin W. Lutzer -