Psychology Quote by Oscar Wilde
““We are punished for our refusals. Every impulse that we strive to strangle broods in the mind and poisons us. The body sins once, and has done with its sin, for action is a mode of purification. Nothing remains then but the recollection of a pleasure, or the luxury of a regret. The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful. It has been said that the great events of the world take place in the brain. It is in the brain, and the brain only, that the great sins of the world take place also.””
About This Quote
Suppressing desires creates inner conflict; yielding to temptation is portrayed as a path to psychological release, while resistance breeds longing and moral corruption.
In simple terms: Repression fuels inner turmoil; indulgence frees the mind.
Key Takeaway
Unaddressed impulses poison the soul.
Themes
psychology
morality
desire
self-control
freedom
Mood
introspective
cautionary
philosophical
Type
aphorism
philosophical observation
literary quote
When to use this quote
- struggling with personal vices
- creative blocks
- moral dilemmas
- habit formation
- spiritual crisis
Key Concepts
repression
temptation
purification
brain as locus of sin
Practical Applications
- psychotherapy for desire management
- creative writing exploring inner conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the long‑term effects of consistently yielding to temptations?
- Can disciplined restraint ever be a healthy alternative?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that disciplined restraint builds character and prevents harmful excesses, contrary to the claim that yielding is the only cure.
