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Quotes About Temptation

Nature never allows man to understand it, however intelligent he thinks he may be. It tempts his reason by offering an initial success only to seduce and pull him on its side later, once for all. Finally, a man is left to sing the irrational songs of the nature!
~ Thiruman Archunan
Mick As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.
~ This Is Spinal Tap
It is not really a small thing when in small things we resist self.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Not every desire is from the Holy Spirit, even though it may seem right and good.
~ Thomas a Kempis
It happens very often that those whom men esteem highly are more seriously endangered by their own excessive confidence. Hence, for many it is better not to be too free from temptations, but often to be tried lest they become too secure, too filled with pride, or even too eager to fall back upon external comforts.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Satan leaves unbelievers and sinners alone because he already has them in his grip; he goes after believers who are faithful and devout.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Atajar al principio el mal procura; si llega a echar raíz, tarde se cura (1): Porque primeramente se ofrece al alma el pensamiento sencillo; después, la importuna imaginación; luego, la delectación y el torpe movimiento y el. Consentimiento. Y así se entra poco a poco el maligno enemigo, y se apodera de todo, por no resistirle al principio.
~ Thomas a Kempis
How great is the frailty of human nature which is ever prone to evil! Today you confess your sins and tomorrow you again commit the sins which you confessed.
~ Thomas a Kempis
How great is the frailty of human nature which is ever prone to evil! Today you confess your sins and tomorrow you again commit the sins which you confessed. One moment you resolve to be careful, and yet after an hour you act as though you had made no resolution.
~ Thomas a Kempis
There is no man wholly free from temptations so long as he liveth, because we have the root of temptation within ourselves, in that we are born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow passeth, and another cometh; and always we shall have somewhat to suffer, for we have fallen from perfect happiness. Many who seek to fly from temptations fall yet more deeply into them. By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by endurance and true humility we are made stronger than all our enemies.
~ Thomas a Kempis
For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the strong imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent. And so little by little the enemy entereth in altogether, because he was not resisted at the beginning. And the longer a man delayeth his resistance, the weaker he groweth, and the stronger groweth the enemy against him.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the more fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to help us in all our tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul saith, with the temptation make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it.(2) Let us therefore humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in all temptation and trouble, for He will save and exalt such as are of an humble spirit.
~ Thomas a Kempis
The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters.
~ Thomas a Kempis
My mind is steadfastly fixed, and it is grounded in Christ."(2) If thus it were with me, the fear of man should not so easily tempt me, nor the arrows of words move me.
~ Thomas a Kempis
The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper and want of trust in God;
~ Thomas a Kempis
The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when he withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and easily angered too if any oppose his will.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Be ofttimes mindful of the saying, The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy heart from the love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are not seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly lusts, defile the conscience, and destroy the grace of God. (1) John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17. (3) Ecclesiastes i. 8.
~ Thomas a Kempis
When, therefore, spiritual comfort is given by God, receive it with giving of thanks, and know that it is the gift of God, not thy desert. Be not lifted up, rejoice not overmuch nor foolishly presume, but rather be more humble for the gift, more wary and more careful in all thy doings; for that hour will pass away, and temptation will follow.
~ Thomas a Kempis
All Saints have passed through much tribulation and temptation, and have profited thereby. And they who endured not temptation became reprobate and fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so secret, that it is without temptations and adversities.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Remain tranquil and prepare to bear still greater trials. All is not lost even though you be troubled oftener or tempted more grievously. You are a man, not God. You are flesh, not an angel. How can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state of virtue when the angels in heaven and the first man in paradise failed to do so? I am He Who rescues the afflicted and brings to My divinity those who know their own weakness.
~ Thomas a Kempis
Humillemos, pues, nuestras almas bajo de la mano de Dios en toda tribulación y tentación. Porque El salvará y engrandecerá los humildes de espíritu.
~ Thomas a Kempis
When the devil is called the God of this world, it is not because he made it, but because we serve him with our worldliness.
~ Thomas Aquinas
Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ Thomas Aquinas
The world tempts us either by attaching us to it in prosperity, or by filling us with fear of adversity. But faith overcomes this in that we believe in a life to come better than this one, and hence we despise the riches of this world and we are not terrified in the face of adversity.
~ Thomas Aquinas