Tempt not a desperate man.

Tempt not a desperate man.

I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it

I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it

He who cannot resist temptation is not a man.

He who cannot resist temptation is not a man.

Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?

Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death?

As the Sandwich-Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain read more

As the Sandwich-Islander believes that the strength and valor of the enemy he kills passes into himself, so we gain the strength of the temptations we resist.

Let a man be but in earnest in praying against a temptation as
the tempter is in pressing it, read more

Let a man be but in earnest in praying against a temptation as
the tempter is in pressing it, and he needs not proceed by a
surer measure.

But something may be done that we will not;
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves
When read more

But something may be done that we will not;
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves
When we will tempt the frailty of our powers,
Presuming on their changeful potency.

There are several good protections against temptations, but the
surest is cowardice.

There are several good protections against temptations, but the
surest is cowardice.

Devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light.

Devils soonest tempt, resembling spirits of light.