Sin
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4.Temptation and the tempter
4a.The devil and supernatural tempters
See also: Angel 8a · Revenge 8b
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 362–364The devil tempts Jesus with bread, worldly power and a leap from the temple; Jesus resists.read · scan
- p. 409Satan enters Judas, who covenants with priests to betray Jesus for money.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 431–432Ananias's deceit, prompted by Satan, is fatally punished.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 93–94Augustine's tongue weaves pleasurable snares for Alypius, serpent-like.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 918–919Satan vows to lead Adam's seed astray, tempting with deceit; hell is the recompense of followers.read · scan
- p. 947–948Satan makes evil works seem seemly, then abandons his followers.read · scan
- p. 962–963Satan made the fleeing believers slip, but God pardoned them; the prophet must not cheat.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 98–99Tempted by the Devil, he breaks his oath and is punished with loss of an eye and of his paradise.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 249–250No saint escapes temptation; temptation precedes comfort, and the devil never sleeps, so be ready for battle.read · scan
- p. 303–304The old enemy tempts day and night, setting snares for the unwary.read · scan
- p. 363–364Doubts about faith are temptations of the devil, which strike the faithful and are not their fault.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 143–145The disguised fiend tells of her pride in beauty that led to her expulsion and her war against her lord, seducing his men.read · scan
- p. 146–147Percivale repents nearly falling into deadly sin, and is told the gentlewoman was the master fiend, the fallen angel.read · scan
- p. 169–171A devil in a woman's likeness tempts Bors to lechery; he resists and escapes, crossing himself and thanking God.read · scan
- p. 171–172Hypocrisy, filth and lechery are the fiend's snares to lead Bors to despair.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 194–195The goatherd fears touching the valise, saying the devil is crafty and makes men stumble.read · scan
- p. 403He fears the devil might persuade his freed-from-ransom companions to act against Zoraida.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 75Richard follows the devil's precept to destroy those one has depressed.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 207–209Angels warn that the book tempts his soul and brings God's wrath; reading Scriptures called blasphemy by evil.read · scan
- p. 209–212Scholars fear Faustus has fallen into damned art and hope the Rector can reclaim him.read · scan
- p. 212–214Faustus abjures Christ and dedicates himself to Belzebub; devils come when a man risks damnation.read · scan
- p. 219Faustus signs away his soul to Lucifer in blood; his blood congeals as if in warning.read · scan
- p. 221Faustus signs away his soul to Lucifer, despite the warning inscription, and doubts damnation; the pact is a deliberate act of damnation.read · scan
- p. 248–250The Chorus warns the wise from unlawful things, practicing more than heavenly power permits; Faustus's hellish fall.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 350–352Macbeth admits he gave his eternal jewel, his soul, to the common enemy of man to make Banquo's issue kings.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 305Vice and the Devil put a fallacy upon our reasons and entangle us in the web of sin.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 108The female Shape at Hell's gates, half woman and half serpent, prefigures Sin.read · scan
- p. 125Sin begets monsters on herself by Death, who torments her; Satan deceives her with smooth words.read · scan
- p. 129Sin and Death follow Satan and build a bridge over the abyss so evil spirits may pass to tempt or punish fallen mortals.read · scan
- p. 136Angels fell self-tempted; Man fell deceived by them and so shall find grace, while the fallen angels get none.read · scan
- p. 154Satan resolves to tempt Adam and Eve to transgress the forbidden Tree of Knowledge.read · scan
- p. 155Satan leaps the bounds of Eden like a wolf or thief, perverting the Tree of Life to a perch.read · scan
- p. 165Satan schemes to bring about their transgression and fall by tempting them to break the prohibition.read · scan
- p. 180Satan plots the fall of man by deceit and lies, not violence.read · scan
- p. 261Satan returns bent on man's destruction with meditated fraud; Sin, not time, changed the place.read · scan
- p. 261Satan enters the sleeping serpent to carry out temptation, driven by envy and revenge.read · scan
- p. 261The foe seeks to draw them from fealty to God through temptation.read · scan
- p. 261Satan finds Eve alone and, after brief goodness, renews hate and plans her ruin.read · scan
- p. 297Sin and Death praise Satan's success in seducing Eve and Adam and follow him as fatal consequence.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 359Satan recalls tempting and ruining Adam and plans to ensnare the new Son by fraud.read · scan
- p. 395Satan persists in tempting despite repeated defeat, like flies or waves, refusing to yield from spite.read · scan
- p. 395Defeated Satan leaves Christ in the wilderness and disturbs his sleep with ugly dreams.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 35–36The tempted find it hard to see how grace is maintained against the Devil's attempts to quench it.read · scan
- p. 42–43The lion-devil will prey on the careless.read · scan
- p. 66–67A wicked spirit whispers blasphemies that Christian takes to be his own thoughts, distressing him.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 246An evil spirit tending to strife had been at work among Nantucket Friends.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 20–22Temptation, with the devil given leave to lead Faust on a downward course.read · scan
- p. 113–115Mephistopheles notes Margaret is freshly absolved from sin, so beyond his power; Faust plans to beguile innocence.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 141–143Devil entered Paradise and played a cursed trick on man, nearly ruining the infant world; he afflicted Job.read · scan
- p. 545–547Satan tempts man with bright wines and lasses then ensnares him in hell's web.read · scan
- p. 547–549Satan's pouncing on a man and the poet's prayer to be preserved from the devil.read · scan
- p. 549–552Satire ends with Hornie, the devil, ready to buy the whole pack of the election gentry's wares.read · scan
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 725–726The maid is 'devoid of guile and sin', yet drawn by evil's spell into imitation.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 185The Devil's bargain risks the soldier's soul, and he checks that it does not endanger his salvation.read · scan
- p. 185–187The soldier bargains with the Devil, staking his soul on surviving seven years.read · scan
- p. 188The Devil's bargain reaches its end, with him forced to wash Bearskin.read · scan
- p. 189The Devil claims the sisters' two souls in place of Bearskin's one.read · scan
4b.The progress of temptation from suggestion to consent
See also: Will 6b
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 215–216Temptation is rooted in inborn concupiscence; no one is free of it, yet temptations humble, purify and instruct through endurance and humility.read · scan
- p. 216–217Temptation progresses from suggestion to imagination, pleasure, evil affection and assent; resist it at the beginning.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 139Despair leads Percivale to bind himself heedlessly to an unknown tempter and mount her horse.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 332–334Lady Macbeth invokes spirits to unsex her and stop remorse, resolving on Duncan's murder.read · scan
- p. 335–336Macbeth weighs the murder of Duncan and its damnation, then is spurred back by his wife.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 95Nearchus confesses he is held down by sense and sin; the traitor lurks within.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 180Dream tempter urges Eve to eat forbidden fruit promising godhood; Adam fears evil, yet says evil unapproved leaves no blame.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 340–341Augustine's serpent, Eve and Adam: sin is not consummated unless reason consents to temptationread · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 196–198Boys eat the enemy's forbidden fruit over the wall; temptation and transgression, with the mother's rebuke.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 358Temptation is no sin, only being overcome; no man is compelled to evil, consent makes it his.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 258–259Yielding to temptation and self-reproach with repentance.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 601–602Lucia fears Renzo tempts her to break her vow, endangering both souls.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 50The angels warn that opening the forbidden door would be a sin; temptation and disobedience follow.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 289–290The Fairy warns the Prince that he may stay if he does not, like Adam, yield to temptation to do the forbidden.read · scan
- p. 290–291The Fairy warns of the long temptation of sin and that a kiss will lose Paradise.read · scan
- p. 291–292The Prince forgets his promise the first evening and rationalizes that following beauty and joy is no sin.read · scan
- p. 330–331Karen deceives the old lady and disobeys, wearing red shoes to church, the first fall into disobedience.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1087–1094He admits he was tempted, took Francis's coin and sinned, yet will not alter his past.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, The Study of PoetryVol. 28
- p. 85–86Burns says we cannot compute what is resisted, and only God who made the heart can try us.read · scan
4c.Resisting and fleeing temptation
See also: Courage 5c
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 129–130Elihu warns Job to beware of iniquity, which he has chosen rather than affliction.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 160–164Prays to be cleared of hidden faults and kept from presumptuous sins.read · scan
- p. 190–191Resolves not to sin with his tongue; asks deliverance from transgressions.read · scan
- p. 293–295God's word laid up in the heart that he might not sin.read · scan
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 501–503Israel's lusts, idolatry, fornication and murmuring in the wilderness are warnings; God provides escape from temptation.read · scan
- p. 512Exhorts the Corinthians to awake to soberness and sin not, shamed by ignorance of God.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 163Augustine does not know which temptations he can resist; trusts God not to let him be tempted beyond his strength.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 224–225Study what brings sorrow for sin; inward temptation guards against pride and overconfidence.read · scan
- p. 248–249Temptation follows consolation; the psalmist's despair turns to joy through prayer and mercy.read · scan
- p. 293–294Speaker admits he deserves to be troubled; temptation vexes him and he fears falling under it.read · scan
- p. 314–315Imaginations of sin and impurity plague the speaker; pardon sought for distraction.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 145–146Percivale is led toward fornication and an oath of servitude, saved only by the sign of the cross on his sword.read · scan
- p. 150Prays not to fall into deadly sin; the vision rebukes a knight for vainglorious wars.read · scan
William Caxton, Prefaces and EpiloguesVol. 39
- p. 20Written as doctrine so readers beware falling into vice or sin.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 91The devil's temptations are compared to an ape that grows bold if unresisted.read · scan
- p. 91Resistance to temptation, whereas the idle are led on by the devil.read · scan
John Winthrop, Arbitrary Government Described and the Government of the Massachusetts Vindicated from That AspersionVol. 43
- p. 97God exercises His servants with temptations; avoiding them by breaking rules is refused.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 414–415He looks to be free from sin, its temptations and anxieties, in heaven.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 226Raphael warns Adam that Satan plots to seduce him; the rebels' disobedience is an example to fear transgression.read · scan
- p. 227Adam and Eve are warned against apostasy and the forbidden tree.read · scan
- p. 257Raphael warns Adam to repel temptation to transgress.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Fear of adding a greater sin to his earlier transgression, preferring man to God.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 261–262Temptation is dangerous, and people are tempted because they do not pray.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 350Even the saved may fall through negligence; Paul and Job show fear of being a castaway.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 24–25Christian is ashamed and speechless at having turned aside from the right way, and Evangelist reproves him.read · scan
- p. 29–31Christian admits he is no better than Pliable, having turned aside after Worldly Wiseman.read · scan
- p. 72–73Temptation to defile himself is resisted, recalling scripture that her steps take hold of hell.read · scan
- p. 114–115Weary of the rough way, Christian chooses the easier By-path Meadow; one temptation makes way for another.read · scan
- p. 116–117Trespass into forbidden ground; seeking the flesh's ease leads to self-undoing.read · scan
- p. 121–122Their song warns that heedlessness led them onto forbidden ground.read · scan
- p. 134–135Pilgrims follow the flatterer and are entangled in his netread · scan
- p. 135–136Pilgrims are convicted of forgetfulness for ignoring the shepherds' warning and note of directionread · scan
- p. 198–199The ruffians would make the Lord's people transgress; temptation of the pilgrims.read · scan
- p. 242–243Danger comes when pilgrims forget favours received and their own unworthiness.read · scan
- p. 256–257He was so tender of sin that he denied himself lawful things lest he offend.read · scan
- p. 286–287Commandment to resist sin and overcome evil justifies fighting despair.read · scan
- p. 295–297Great-heart praises him for resisting unto blood, striving against sin.read · scan
- p. 299–300Temptation and deceivers lead pilgrims by the by-way to Hell.read · scan
- p. 301–302Drowsy Enchanted Ground with arbors of sleep allegorizes spiritual sloth and temptation.read · scan
- p. 303–304Heedless and Too-bold fall asleep in the arbor, yielding to weariness and presumption on the pilgrimage.read · scan
- p. 304–305Sleepers talk incoherently, ungoverned by faith or reason; the Enemy uses weariness near the journey's end to trap heedless pilgrims.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 320–321Resolutions against past errors flag again under fresh temptations.read · scan
- p. 358–359To avoid sin, avoid desire and temptation; do not even look at or think of it.read · scan
- p. 360–361We live within reach of temptation; resisting it serves God better than formal prayers.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 35–37He cannot promise never again to sin and stray from virtue; repeated temptation makes him doubt heavenly mercy.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1278–1280The dead child is safe from temptation and sin's pollutionread · scan
John Greenleaf Whittier, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1357–1358Hopes his feet will not sink in the treacherous sands of sin or tread forbidden ground.read · scan
4d.Lust, covetousness and the world as occasions of sin
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 25He wallowed in Babylon with his companions, easily seduced, the reins slack to dissoluteness.read · scan
- p. 182–183Prays God to heal his soul of concupiscence and impure dream-motions, confessing remaining imperfection.read · scan
- p. 184–185Confesses himself a sinful man beset by temptation and concupiscence, relying on Christ's intercession.read · scan
- p. 185–186Confesses that delight in sacred music unawares ensnares him, sense running ahead of reason, and that he sins and then becomes aware of it.read · scan
- p. 186Confesses sinning when moved more by the voice than the words sung.read · scan
- p. 188Augustine admits he entangles his steps in outward beauties and is mercifully plucked out.read · scan
- p. 189–190Perverted curiosity, magical arts and sacrilegious mysteries are temptations; he cut off many but cannot claim complete freedom.read · scan
- p. 190–191Petty curiosity daily tempts him and breaks his prayers; his only hope is God's mercy, which has begun changing him.read · scan
- p. 195–196Augustine reviews the sicknesses of his sins in threefold concupiscence and his covetous wish to possess a lie alongside God.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 220–221The Siren's lure is the temptation of earthly goods whose avarice is cleansed on the fifth cornice.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 233Sin's fire is fed by sparing oneself and following the flesh.read · scan
- p. 299The old man is not yet crucified and lusts against the spirit; no security from temptation in this life.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 120–122Melias takes the golden crown he was not entitled to and is struck down; the choice of way proves moral.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 63Cellini warns Luigi he is giving his soul to foul vices, which will break his neck.read · scan
John Knox, Preface to the History of the Reformation in ScotlandVol. 39
- p. 58Satan blinds men through filthy lusts, ambition and covetousness so they resist God's word.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 762Bosola fears the corrupting gifts would take him to hell; the devil compliments sin.read · scan
- p. 852–853Ferdinand says ambition, blood or lust bring men down, cut like diamonds with their own dust.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 207Removing objects of sin does not remove sin; a covetous man stripped of treasure keeps his covetousness.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 90Israel forsakes its God for bestial gods; Solomon beguiled by idolatresses.read · scan
Sir Henry Vane, A Healing QuestionVol. 43
- p. 128Self-interest and covetousness among victors would repeat Achan's accursed thing, bringing God's anger on the camp.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 324Sins wrap us in earthly things, yet the same things serve as lessons to raise us from our fall.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 372Christians who believe Christ suffered for their sins still live in delights, embracing the world that murdered him.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 73Adam the First, the old man, tempts with delights and the lusts of flesh, eyes and pride of life; Faithful is pulled back by old nature.read · scan
- p. 110–111Temptation to turn aside; Christian rebukes Demas as heir to Gehazi and Judas in covetous ways.read · scan
- p. 111–112Lot's Wife's covetous looking back is a warning; Hopeful confesses his own desire to go see Demas's hill is like her sin, and adores grace.read · scan
- p. 130–131Those ruled by flesh sell their souls to the devilread · scan
- p. 282–283A seven-headed monster ruled by a woman devours children; men who love life more than souls accept its conditions.read · scan
- p. 306–307Temptation by the vain world seeks to stop him on his journey.read · scan
- p. 307–308She is a witch whose sorceries enchant the ground and draw men from pilgrim life to hell.read · scan
- p. 308–309The world draws men into hurtful lusts, setting Absalom against his father and Judas to betray; pilgrim's manifold dangers.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 67Octavia accuses Cleopatra of lascivious arts that make sin pleasing.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 142She regards the passion as crime and horror and tries in vain to cure it by vows and sacrifice.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 390Miserly slaving to get and keep is called a sin and the worst idolatry.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 43Franklin calls his attempted familiarities another erratum, admitting he acted without religious restraint.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 116–118Faust fears he would rue his guilty flame and sink in shame; Mephistopheles tempts with jewels.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 165–166Joseph tempts Lady Teazle to a faux pas, arguing she should 'sin in her own defence' to preserve her reputation.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 168–170The sensuous character is peculiarly liable to temptation and great guilt, as illustrated by David.read · scan
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