---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If an unexpected temptation comes, don't…"
description: "\"If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus you will find correction for your soul.\" — M..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg"
---

#  If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one…

![“If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus you will find correction for your soul.” quote by Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg)

> “If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus you will find correction for your soul.”

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When tempted, look inward for the cause rather than blaming the external source, to heal the soul.

**In simple terms:** Seek inner cause of temptation.

Key Takeaway

Identify root causes of urges.

Themes

self-awareness temptation spiritual growth

Mood

introspective serene

Type

advice spiritual

When to use this quote

- personal reflection
- counseling
- mindfulness practice

Key Concepts

psychology ethics self-improvement

Questions to Reflect On

- What triggers your temptations?
- How can you address underlying needs?

A Different Perspective

Self-blame can still occur despite insight.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Correction Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correction-soul-5051107/) [Corrections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrections/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Seek Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seek-reason-2324972/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [Temptation Comes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation-comes-243100/) [Unexpected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexpected/) [Unexpected Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unexpected-temptation-5051105/) [Your soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-soul/)

## Related quotes

> [“This is why they are warriors of the light. Because they err. Because they question. Because they seek a reason - and they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/this-is-why-they-are-warriors-of-the-light-because-they-err-because/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [Do not seek to find a reason why elections are not possible. Seek to make them possible, and they will be possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-chalabi/do-not-seek-to-find-a-reason-why-elections-are-not-possible-seek-to/)

[Ahmed Chalabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-chalabi/)

> [I believe that everything happens for a reason, but I think it's important to seek out that reason - that's how we learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/i-believe-that-everything-happens-for-a-reason-but-i-think-it-s/)

[Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/)

> [I believe that everything happens for a reason. But I think it's important to seek out that reason. That's how we learn drew berry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-that-everything-happens-for-a-reason-but-i-think-it-s-2/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When temptation comes your way, name that boastful, deceitful giant “Goliath!” and do with it as David did to the Philistine of Gath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/when-temptation-comes-your-way-name-that-boastful-deceitful-giant/)

[Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/)

> [I like to talk to myself ahead of time so when temptation comes, I've already made up my mind that I have the victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-like-to-talk-to-myself-ahead-of-time-so-when-temptation-comes-i-ve/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in gay, fine colours, that are but skin-deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/many-a-dangerous-temptation-comes-to-us-in-gay-fine-colours-that-are/)

[Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/)

> [When temptation comes, you can invent a delete key in your mind- perhaps the words from a favorite hymn. Your mind is in charge;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/when-temptation-comes-you-can-invent-a-delete-key-in-your-mind/)

[Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/)

> [“Whenever temptation comes, remember the wise counsel of the Apostle Paul, who declared, 'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/whenever-temptation-comes-remember-the-wise-counsel-of-the-apostle/)

[Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/)

> [Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay colors that are but skin-deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/many-a-dangerous-temptation-comes-to-us-in-fine-gay-colors-that-are/)

[Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/)

> [“Just remember when temptation comes your way that a boy will drink beyond his means and a man will know when he’s had enough.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-chadwick/just-remember-when-temptation-comes-your-way-that-a-boy-will-drink/)

[Elizabeth Chadwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-chadwick/)

> [“The first time the temptation comes, meet it in such a decided manner that it will never be repeated!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/the-first-time-the-temptation-comes-meet-it-in-such-a-decided-manner/)

[Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/)

> [“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-test-or-temptation-that-comes-your-way-is-beyond-the-course-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [No man knows what he will do till the right temptation comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/no-man-knows-what-he-will-do-till-the-right-temptation-comes/)

[Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/)

> [Temptation is something that comes along when you're doing something you don't want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/temptation-is-something-that-comes-along-when-you-re-doing-something/)

[Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/)

## More by Maximus the Confessor

> [When what has been created in time according to the temporal order has reached maturity, it ceases from natural growth. But when what has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/when-what-has-been-created-in-time-according-to-the-temporal-order/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [There are lots of those who speak but few who do. However, no one should distort the word of God by his own negligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/there-are-lots-of-those-who-speak-but-few-who-do-however-no-one/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [If you make provision for the desires of the flesh and bear a grudge against your neighbor on account of something transitory, you worship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/if-you-make-provision-for-the-desires-of-the-flesh-and-bear-a-grudge/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [The Logos came down out of love for us. Let us not keep Him down permanently, but let us go up with Him to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/the-logos-came-down-out-of-love-for-us-let-us-not-keep-him-down/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [Whatever a man loves he inevitably clings to, and in order not to lose it he rejects everything that keeps him from it. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/whatever-a-man-loves-he-inevitably-clings-to-and-in-order-not-to-lose/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [A passion is a contranatural movement of the soul or an irrational love, or an blindfold hatred toward any material thing, or because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/a-passion-is-a-contranatural-movement-of-the-soul-or-an-irrational/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [Unclean spirits increase the passions in us, making use of our negligence, and inciting them. But the angels decrease our passions, inciting us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/unclean-spirits-increase-the-passions-in-us-making-use-of-our/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [For him who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of dispassion there is no difference between his own or another's, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/for-him-who-is-perfect-in-love-and-has-reached-the-summit-of/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [Peace is truly the complete and undisturbed possession of what is desired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/peace-is-truly-the-complete-and-undisturbed-possession-of-what-is/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [A Christian receives divine wisdom in three ways: by the commandments, teachings, and faith. The commandments free the mind from passions. Teachings lead it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/a-christian-receives-divine-wisdom-in-three-ways-by-the-commandments/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [Whoever sees in himself the traces of hatred toward any man on account of any kind of sin is completely foreign to the love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/whoever-sees-in-himself-the-traces-of-hatred-toward-any-man-on/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [As we have borne the image of the earthy, let us also bear the image of the heavenly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/as-we-have-borne-the-image-of-the-earthy-let-us-also-bear-the-image/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> ['The long-suffering man abounds in understanding' (Prov. 14:29), because he endures everything to the end and, while awaiting that end, patiently bears his distress.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/the-long-suffering-man-abounds-in-understanding-prov-14-29-because-he/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [If everything that exists was made by God and for God, and God is superior to the things made by Him, he who abandons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/if-everything-that-exists-was-made-by-god-and-for-god-and-god-is/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

> [The person who truly wishes to be healed is he who does not refuse treatment. This treatment consists of the pain and distress brought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/the-person-who-truly-wishes-to-be-healed-is-he-who-does-not-refuse/)

[Maximus the Confessor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

[Explore all 91 Maximus the Confessor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/)

## More Blame quotes

> [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/)

[Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/)

> [Me mum used to always have the radio on - even now she has it on in every room. Me girlfriend sort of blames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/me-mum-used-to-always-have-the-radio-on-even-now-she-has-it-on-in/)

[Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/)

> [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/)

[Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/)

> [Some of the things that I said I hated to say, but blame yourself mother fucker you made it this way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedi-mind-tricks/some-of-the-things-that-i-said-i-hated-to-say-but-blame-yourself/)

[Jedi Mind Tricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedi-mind-tricks/)

> [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“In places where government priorities and market imperatives create a world so capricious that to help a neighbor is to risk your ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/in-places-where-government-priorities-and-market-imperatives-create-a/)

[Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/)

> [“Stop Blaming Others For Your Own Actions”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-g-roldan/stop-blaming-others-for-your-own-actions/)

[Alexis G. Roldan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-g-roldan/)

> [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [I don't blame anyone .. I did this to myself .. It's my fault .. Everything is my FAULT ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nurnizz95/i-don-t-blame-anyone-i-did-this-to-myself-it-s-my-fault-everything-is/)

[Nurnizz95](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nurnizz95/)

> [“They would congratulate themselves every morning on keeping their integrity, and blame themselves each night for that missed opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/they-would-congratulate-themselves-every-morning-on-keeping-their/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [I try to live my life where I end up at a point where I have no regrets. So I try to choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-aronofsky/i-try-to-live-my-life-where-i-end-up-at-a-point-where-i-have-no/)

[Darren Aronofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-aronofsky/)

> [How come you don't feel that magic in the air? I guess I knew you'll never be there. I guess I knew you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-come-you-don-t-feel-that-magic-in-the-air-i-guess-i-knew-you-ll/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I am down mentally. I can't understand how it happened and who is to blame? I don't know why the ground was rolled before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yeasin-khan/i-am-down-mentally-i-can-t-understand-how-it-happened-and-who-is-to/)

[Yeasin Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yeasin-khan/)

> [A refusal to admit one's mistake &amp; not accepting responsibility for that mistake by blaming everyone else, is d beginning of one's decline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-refusal-to-admit-one-s-mistake-not-accepting-responsibility-for/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Listen, the guy was not created by coverage from MSNBC and CNN. If you want to blame us for making Donald Trump president because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-tur/listen-the-guy-was-not-created-by-coverage-from-msnbc-and-cnn-if-you/)

[Katy Tur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-tur/)

[Browse all 3,779 Blame quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blame/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus you will find correction for your soul.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Maximus the Confessor"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t-blame-the-one-through-whom-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Blame"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t-blame-the-one-through-whom-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e9/maximus-the-confessor-7435_blame_if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t_2236270.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If an unexpected temptation comes, don't blame the one through whom it came, but seek out the reason. Thus…” — Maximus the Confessor",
                "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": "Maximus the Confessor",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximus-the-confessor/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If an unexpected temptation comes, don't...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t-blame-the-one-through-whom-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximus-the-confessor/if-an-unexpected-temptation-comes-don-t-blame-the-one-through-whom-it/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
