--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sin is never at a stay; if we do not…" description: "\"Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it; and the farther on we go, the more we have to come back.\" — Isaac Barrow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg" --- # Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we… ![“Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it; and the farther on we go, the more we have to come back.” quote by Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg) > “Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it; and the farther on we go, the more we have to come back.” [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sin is a persistent force; without retreat, it deepens, requiring eventual repentance. **In simple terms:** Sin grows if ignored. Key Takeaway Recognize and retreat from harmful patterns. Themes morality self-control spirituality Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal counseling - spiritual practice - ethical decision making - habit reform Key Concepts temptation redemption Questions to Reflect On - What habits keep you from retreating? - How can you create safe spaces for repentance? A Different Perspective Self‑denial can be impractical without support systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) ## Related quotes > [“those who move but very slowly, may advance much farther, if they always follow the right way; then those who run and straggle from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/those-who-move-but-very-slowly-may-advance-much-farther-if-they/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Some journeys take you farther from where you come from, but closer to where you belong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-franscell/some-journeys-take-you-farther-from-where-you-come-from-but-closer-to/) [Ron Franscell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-franscell/) > [It's not a sin to get knocked down; it's a sin to stay down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-brashear/it-s-not-a-sin-to-get-knocked-down-it-s-a-sin-to-stay-down/) Carl Brashear > [If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day-Don't give a Devil a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/if-you-become-angry-do-not-let-your-anger-lead-you-into-sin-and-do/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“we shall advance more by contemplating the Divinity than by keeping our eyes fixed on ourselves,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/we-shall-advance-more-by-contemplating-the-divinity-than-by-keeping/) [Teresa of Ávila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [“For if I wimp my wing on thine. Affliction shall advance the flight in me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/for-if-i-wimp-my-wing-on-thine-affliction-shall-advance-the-flight-in/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [By putting forward the hands of the clock you shall not advance the hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/by-putting-forward-the-hands-of-the-clock-you-shall-not-advance-the/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“For, if I imp my wing on thine, Affliction shall advance the flight in me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/for-if-i-imp-my-wing-on-thine-affliction-shall-advance-the-flight-in/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [A man may be accused of cowardice for fleeing away from all manner of physical dangers but when things supernatural, insubstantial and inexplicable threaten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-hill/a-man-may-be-accused-of-cowardice-for-fleeing-away-from-all-manner-of/) [Susan Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-hill/) > [Or maybe a person is just made up of a lot of peopleMaybe we’re accumulating these new selves all the time. Hauling them in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jandy-nelson/or-maybe-a-person-is-just-made-up-of-a-lot-of-peoplemaybe-we-re/) [Jandy Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jandy-nelson/) > [I have a place in New England. It's in the middle of nowhere, like horror movie style - Stephen King-ville. It's a good kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-momsen/i-have-a-place-in-new-england-it-s-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-like/) [Taylor Momsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-momsen/) > [I tell my retreat students that they need to remember two things: to eat what they want when they're hungry and to feel what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/i-tell-my-retreat-students-that-they-need-to-remember-two-things-to/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [What is wrong with looking muscular? Muscles are beautiful. Strength is beautiful. Muscle tissue is beautiful. It is metabolically, medically, and philosophically beautiful. Muscles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-angier/what-is-wrong-with-looking-muscular-muscles-are-beautiful-strength-is/) [Natalie Angier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-angier/) > [I decided to lock myself in. A forced segregation. Sabbatical. A retreat into myself. My selves. Play hide and go seek in the looking-glass.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/i-decided-to-lock-myself-in-a-forced-segregation-sabbatical-a-retreat/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) ## More by Isaac Barrow > [No adversity is in kind or degree peculiar to us; but if we survey the conditions of other men (of our brethren everywhere, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/no-adversity-is-in-kind-or-degree-peculiar-to-us-but-if-we-survey-the/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [An accomplished mathematician, i.e. a most wretched orator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/an-accomplished-mathematician-i-e-a-most-wretched-orator/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [We may be as good as we please, if we please to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/we-may-be-as-good-as-we-please-if-we-please-to-be-good/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [If we desire to live securely, comfortably, and quietly, that by all honest means we should endeavor to purchase the good will of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/if-we-desire-to-live-securely-comfortably-and-quietly-that-by-all/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [He that loveth a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counsellor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/he-that-loveth-a-book-will-never-want-a-faithful-friend-a-wholesome/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Chance never writ a legible book; chance never built a fair house; chance never drew a neat picture; it never did any of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/chance-never-writ-a-legible-book-chance-never-built-a-fair-house/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [The proper work of man, the grand drift of human life, is to follow reason, that noble spark kindled in us from heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/the-proper-work-of-man-the-grand-drift-of-human-life-is-to-follow/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Nothing hath wrought more prejudice to religion, or brought more disparagement upon truth, than boisterous and unseasonable zeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/nothing-hath-wrought-more-prejudice-to-religion-or-brought-more/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Upright simplicity is the deepest wisdom, and perverse craft the merest shallowness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/upright-simplicity-is-the-deepest-wisdom-and-perverse-craft-the/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Every ear is tickled with the sweet music of applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/every-ear-is-tickled-with-the-sweet-music-of-applause/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [The fruits of the earth do not more obviously require labor and cultivation to prepare them for our use and subsistence, than our faculties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/the-fruits-of-the-earth-do-not-more-obviously-require-labor-and/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [It is commonly said that revenge is sweet, but to a calm and considerate mind, patience and forgiveness are sweeter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/it-is-commonly-said-that-revenge-is-sweet-but-to-a-calm-and/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Because Mathematicians frequently make use of Time, they ought to have a distinct idea of the meaning of that Word, otherwise they are Quacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/because-mathematicians-frequently-make-use-of-time-they-ought-to-have/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [We should allow others' excellences, to preserve a modest opinion of our own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/we-should-allow-others-excellences-to-preserve-a-modest-opinion-of/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) > [Wherefore for the public interest and benefit of human society it is requisite that the highest obligations possible should be laid upon the consciences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/wherefore-for-the-public-interest-and-benefit-of-human-society-it-is/) [Isaac Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) [Explore all 50 Isaac Barrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/) ## More Ifs quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [If I don't have pressure, I don't function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/if-i-don-t-have-pressure-i-don-t-function/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [If you restore a car, and you're making money, then you're doing it wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/if-you-restore-a-car-and-you-re-making-money-then-you-re-doing-it/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) Browse all 94,303 Ifs quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it; and the farther on we go, the more we have to come back.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Isaac Barrow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retreat-from-it-we-shall-advance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ifs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retreat-from-it-we-shall-advance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17f/isaac-barrow-13537_ifs_sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retr_1377984.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it; and the farther on we go, the…” — Isaac Barrow", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Isaac Barrow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-barrow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sin is never at a stay;...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retreat-from-it-we-shall-advance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-barrow/sin-is-never-at-a-stay-if-we-do-not-retreat-from-it-we-shall-advance/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```