Bait Quote by John Milton
“What wisdom can there be to choose, what continence to forbear without the knowledge of evil? He that can apprehend and consider vice with all her baits and seeming pleasures, and yet abstain, and yet distinguish, and yet prefer that which is truly better, he is the true wayfaring Christian.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Paradise Lost, Book I, 1667
True virtue involves recognizing and resisting temptation while understanding its allure, choosing the higher good despite the appeal of vice.
In simple terms: Virtue is choosing the greater good over tempting pleasures.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate discernment and moral resolve.
Themes
ethics
self‑control
spirituality
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
religious
When to use this quote
- moral decision‑making
- spiritual practice
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What temptations challenge your values?
- How can you balance understanding vice with resisting it?
A Different Perspective
The ideal may be unrealistic without supportive community.
