Wine and women make wise men dote and forsake God's law…
““Wine and women make wise men dote and forsake God's law and do wrong." However, the fault is not in the wine, and often not in the woman. The fault is in the one who misuses the wine or the woman or other of God's crations. Even if you get drunk on the wine and through this greed you lapse into lechery, the wine is not to blame but you are, in being unable or unwilling to discipline yourself. And even if you look at a woman and become caught up in her beauty and assent to sin [= adultery; extramarital sex], the woman is not to blame nor is the beauty given her by God to be disparaged: rather, you are to blame for not keeping your heart more clear of wicked thoughts. ... If you feel yourself tempted by the sight of a woman, control your gaze better ... You are free to leave her. Nothing constrains you to commit lechery but your own lecherous heart.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Blaming external objects like wine or women distracts from personal responsibility for sin; self‑discipline is essential.
In simple terms: Wine and women aren't to blame; you are.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑control and clear thoughts.
Themes
responsibility
temptation
morality
Mood
solemn
thoughtful
Type
religious
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
self‑discipline
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we practice self‑discipline daily?
- What role does community support play in resisting temptation?
A Different Perspective
May ignore systemic factors influencing behavior.