--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Adultery itself in its principle is many…" description: "\"Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but a curious inquisition after, and envy of another man's enclosed pleasures: and there have be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png" --- # Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but… ![“Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but a curious inquisition after, and envy of another man's enclosed pleasures: and there have been many who refused fairer objects that they might ravish an enclosed woman from her retirement and single possessor.” quote by Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png) > “Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but a curious inquisition after, and envy of another man's enclosed pleasures: and there have been many who refused fairer objects that they might ravish an enclosed woman from her retirement and single possessor.” [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adultery is driven by envy and a desire for forbidden pleasure, often rationalized by rejecting better options. **In simple terms:** Adultery stems from jealousy and seeking what’s off‑limits. Key Takeaway Recognize and address envy before it leads to harm. Themes infidelity envy desire Mood reflective critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - marriage counseling - ethical debates - personal reflection Key Concepts moral philosophy human weakness Questions to Reflect On - What underlying needs drive such behavior? - Can empathy replace envy? A Different Perspective Human desire can be complex; not all envy leads to wrongdoing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adultery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adultery/) [Envy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/envy/) [Infidelity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infidelity/) [Inquisition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inquisition/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Retirement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retirement/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [For retirement brings repose, and repose allows a kindly judgment of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sharp-williams/for-retirement-brings-repose-and-repose-allows-a-kindly-judgment-of/) John Sharp Williams > [You need some insecurity if you're an actor. It keeps the pot boiling. I haven't yet started to think about retiring. I was shocked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-pacino/you-need-some-insecurity-if-you-re-an-actor-it-keeps-the-pot-boiling/) [Al Pacino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-pacino/) > [In retirement, only money and symptoms are consequential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/in-retirement-only-money-and-symptoms-are-consequential/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [A man can't retire his experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/a-man-can-t-retire-his-experience/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-milne/don-t-underestimate-the-value-of-doing-nothing/) [A. A. Milne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-milne/) > [Thoughts on the Merits of Work The worst of work nowadays is what happens to people when they cease to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/thoughts-on-the-merits-of-work-the-worst-of-work-nowadays-is-what/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Introverts listen better, they assess risks more carefully, they can be wiser managers. It's not for nothing that the Silicon Valley billionaires are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/introverts-listen-better-they-assess-risks-more-carefully-they-can-be/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [Art is one of the few careers without a mandatory retirement age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/art-is-one-of-the-few-careers-without-a-mandatory-retirement-age/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [There's an enormous number of managers who have retired on the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/there-s-an-enormous-number-of-managers-who-have-retired-on-the-job/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [When you retire, you switch bosses - from the one who hired you to the one who married you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/when-you-retire-you-switch-bosses-from-the-one-who-hired-you-to-the/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [Retirement: That's when you return from work one day and say, "Hi, Honey, I'm home - forever."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/retirement-that-s-when-you-return-from-work-one-day-and-say-hi-honey/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [In my retirement I go for a short swim at least once or twice every day. It's either that or buy a new golf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/in-my-retirement-i-go-for-a-short-swim-at-least-once-or-twice-every/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [We have to thank God for this retirement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-have-to-thank-god-for-this-retirement/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Retirement is wonderful. It's doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-perret/retirement-is-wonderful-it-s-doing-nothing-without-worrying-about/) [Gene Perret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-perret/) > [There is this idea that appealing to youth is the only way forward. But that is no longer the case. Youth is not everything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-is-this-idea-that-appealing-to-youth-is-the-only-way-forward/) [Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/) ## More by Jeremy Taylor > [“there are sicknesses that walk in darkness, and there are exterminating angels who fly wrapt up in the curtains of immateriality and an uncommunicating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/there-are-sicknesses-that-walk-in-darkness-and-there-are/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [The private and personal blessings we enjoy- the blessings of immunity, safeguard, liberty and integrity- deserve the thanksgiving of a whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/the-private-and-personal-blessings-we-enjoy-the-blessings-of-immunity/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [Drunkenness is an immoderate affection and use of drink. That I call immoderation that is besides or beyond that order of good things for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/drunkenness-is-an-immoderate-affection-and-use-of-drink-that-i-call/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [Marriage is the mother of the world. It preserves kingdoms, and fills cities and churches, and heaven itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/marriage-is-the-mother-of-the-world-it-preserves-kingdoms-and-fills/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [Enjoy the blessings of this day, if God sends them; and the evils of it bear patiently and sweetly: for this day only is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/enjoy-the-blessings-of-this-day-if-god-sends-them-and-the-evils-of-it/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [The thing framed says that nothing framed it; the tongue never made itself to speak, and yet talks against him that did; saying that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/the-thing-framed-says-that-nothing-framed-it-the-tongue-never-made/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [The pharisees minded what God spoke, but not what He intended. They were busy in the outward work of the hand, but incurious of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/the-pharisees-minded-what-god-spoke-but-not-what-he-intended-they/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [In self-examination, take no account of yourself by your thoughts and resolutions in the days of religion and solemnity; examine how it is with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/in-self-examination-take-no-account-of-yourself-by-your-thoughts-and/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [This grace (purity of intention) is so excellent that it sanctifies the most common actions of our life and yet is so necessary that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/this-grace-purity-of-intention-is-so-excellent-that-it-sanctifies-the/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [We each define our god, and from this definition, we set the criteria for self-love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/we-each-define-our-god-and-from-this-definition-we-set-the-criteria/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [The Lord's Prayer is short and mysterious, and, like the treasures of the Spirit, full of wisdom and latent senses: it is not improper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/the-lord-s-prayer-is-short-and-mysterious-and-like-the-treasures-of/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [Faith converses with the angels, and antedates the hymns of glory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/faith-converses-with-the-angels-and-antedates-the-hymns-of-glory/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest truth, the heartiest counsel, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/by-friendship-you-mean-the-greatest-love-the-greatest-usefulness-the/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [Faith gives new light to the soul, but it does not put our eyes out; and what God hathgivenusinournature could never be intended as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/faith-gives-new-light-to-the-soul-but-it-does-not-put-our-eyes-out/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [He that loves not his wife and children feeds a lioness at home, and broods a nest of sorrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/he-that-loves-not-his-wife-and-children-feeds-a-lioness-at-home-and/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) [Explore all 116 Jeremy Taylor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) ## More Adultery quotes > [A hundred years ago Hester Prynne of The Scarlet Letter was given an A for adultery; today she would rate no better than a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-de-vries/a-hundred-years-ago-hester-prynne-of-the-scarlet-letter-was-given-an/) [Peter De Vries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-de-vries/) > [“Reality has a way of bursting the bubble of illusion, and an affair is one of the biggest illusions that anyone can experience in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/reality-has-a-way-of-bursting-the-bubble-of-illusion-and-an-affair-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Once a cheater always remain's a cheater, if you love your partner, why cheat? That dosent makes any sense, that can tell that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittannia-calder/once-a-cheater-always-remain-s-a-cheater-if-you-love-your-partner-why/) [Brittannia Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittannia-calder/) > [Marriage is honourable, as you say; and if so, wherefore should Cuckoldom be a Discredit, being deriv'd from so honourable a Root?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/marriage-is-honourable-as-you-say-and-if-so-wherefore-should/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [L'adulte' re introduit l'esprit dans la lettre quebien souvent le mariage e u" t laisse e morte. Adultery breathes new life into marriages which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/l-adulte-re-introduit-l-esprit-dans-la-lettre-quebien-souvent-le/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [“I shan't make a fuss over the babe's father.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/i-shan-t-make-a-fuss-over-the-babe-s-father/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [When adultery walks in, everything worth having walks out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-m-kroll/when-adultery-walks-in-everything-worth-having-walks-out/) [Woodrow M. Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-m-kroll/) > [Splendid couple - slept with both of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-bowra/splendid-couple-slept-with-both-of-them/) Maurice Bowra > [“I was thinking of murder, mutilation and dessert like Ignacia Sandoval’s instructions for delectable empanadas made of minced mother-in-law’s tongue (said to induce peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-ramos-o-briant/i-was-thinking-of-murder-mutilation-and-dessert-like-ignacia-sandoval/) Sandra Ramos O'Briant > [Adultery is an image of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-swedenborg/adultery-is-an-image-of-hell/) [Emanuel Swedenborg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-swedenborg/) > [Adolescence: A stage between infancy and adultery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/adolescence-a-stage-between-infancy-and-adultery/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, if it has its own way it will go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/sin-aims-always-at-the-utmost-every-time-it-rises-up-to-tempt-or/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [“Next to Joel on the beach was Martha. Two years back in time she had been Joel’s bimbo. That’s because Joel was still married…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-deck/next-to-joel-on-the-beach-was-martha-two-years-back-in-time-she-had/) Stephen Deck > [Homer and Hesiod attributed to the gods all things which are disreputable and worthy of blame when done by men; and they told of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xenophanes/homer-and-hesiod-attributed-to-the-gods-all-things-which-are/) [Xenophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xenophanes/) > [I was growing tired of all the fussing and prevaricating, of the stolen hours and the secret rendez-vous; of the small indignities and broad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-baum/i-was-growing-tired-of-all-the-fussing-and-prevaricating-of-the/) [Vicki Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-baum/) [Browse all 426 Adultery quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adultery/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but a curious inquisition after, and envy of another man's enclosed pleasures: and there have been many who refused fairer objects that they might ravish an enclosed woman from her retirement and single possessor.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeremy Taylor" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many-times-nothing-but-a-curious/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adultery" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many-times-nothing-but-a-curious/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d4/jeremy-taylor-4089_adultery_adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many_272989.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Adultery itself in its principle is many times nothing but a curious inquisition after, and envy of another…” — Jeremy Taylor", "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": "Jeremy Taylor", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Adultery itself in its principle is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many-times-nothing-but-a-curious/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/adultery-itself-in-its-principle-is-many-times-nothing-but-a-curious/#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 } } ] } ```