Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy.—Voltaire.
He who would keep himself to himself should imitate the dumb animals, and drink water.—Bulwer-Lytton.
Temptation.—No man is matriculated to the art of life till he has been well tempted.—George Eliot.
Temptation is a fearful word. It indicates the beginning of a possible series of infinite evils. It is the ringing of an alarm bell, whose melancholy sounds may reverberate through eternity. Like the sudden, sharp cry of "Fire!" under our windows by night, it should rouse us to instantaneous action, and brace every muscle to its highest tension.—Horace Mann.
Most confidence has still most cause to doubt.—Dryden.
It is a most fearful fact to think of, that in every heart there is some secret spring that would be weak at the touch of temptation, and that is liable to be assailed. Fearful, and yet salutary to think of, for the thought may serve to keep our moral nature braced. It warns us that we can never stand at ease, or lie down in the field of life, without sentinels of watchfulness and camp-fires of prayer.—Chapin.
Love cries victory when the tears of a woman become the sole defense of her virtue.—La Fontaine.
When devils will their blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows.—Shakespeare.
The devil tempts us not: it is we tempt him, beckoning his skill with opportunity.—George Eliot.
Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare.—Dryden.