There are many shining qualities in the mind of man, but there is none so useful as discretion; it is this, indeed, that gives a value to all the rest, which sets them to work in their proper times and places, and turns them to the advantage of the person who is possessed of them. Without it, learning is pedantry, and wit impertinence; virtue itself looks like weakness; the best parts only qualify a man to be more sprightly in errors, and active to his own principle.
Addison, Joseph

Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping the shadow.
Aesop

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.
Aristotle

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.
Augustine, Saint

It is good to be without vices, but it is not good to be without temptations.
Bagehot, Walter

Every one is an explorer. How could you possibly live your life looking at a door and not open it?
Ballard, Dr Robert D

Better murder an infant in its cradle than nurse an unacted desire.
Blake, William

Hunger makes a thief of any man
Buck, Pearl Sydenstricker

The passions and desires, like the two twists of a rope, mutually mix one with the other, and twine inextricably round the heart; producing good if moderately indulged; but certain destruction, if suffered to become inordinate.
Burton, Bruce

Dreading that climax of all human ills, The inflammation of his weekly bills.
Byron, Lord George Gordon Noel

There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
Cabell, James Branch

The last temptation is the greatest treason,
To do the right things for the wrong reasons.
Eliot, Thomas Stearns

My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
Flynn, Errol Leslie Thomas

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
Franklin, Benjamin

He that would live in peace and at ease,
Must not speak all he knows, or judge all he sees.
Franklin, Benjamin

Look before or you will find yourself behind.
Franklin, Benjamin

If passion drives you,
Let reason hold the reins.
Franklin, Benjamin

Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up
Frost, Robert

To know how to refuse is as important as to know how to consent.
Gracián, Baltasar

Why resist temptation - there will always be more.
Herold, Don

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.
Heschel, Rabbi Abraham Joshua

When we put our best foot forward, the other one had better be good enough to stand on.
Hightower, Cullen

A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist.
Jones, Franklin P

What makes resisting temptation difficult, for many people, is that they don’t want to discourage it completely.
Jones, Franklin P

Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.
Jung, Carl Gustav