QUOTES AND APHORISMS ON ABSTINENCE

Abstainer. A weak man who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914, American author, editor, journalist, "The Devil's Dictionary")

With renunciation life begins.

Amelia E. Barr (1831-1919, Anglo-American novelist)

The best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them up.

Dorothy Day (1897-1980, American religious leader)

Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human nature .

Charles Dickens (1812-1870, British novelist)

Renunciation remains sorrow, though a sorrow borne willingly.

George Eliot (1819-1880, British novelist)

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

Epictetus (50-138, Phrygian philosopher)

Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.

W. C. Fields (1879-1946, American actor)

Abstaining is favorable both to the head and the pocket.

Horace Greeley (1811-1872, American newspaper editor)

Always rise from the table with an appetite, and you will never sit down without one.

William Penn (1644-1718, British religious leader, founder of Pennsylvania)

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

St. Augustine (354-430, Numidian-born bishop of Hippo, theologian)

The only way for a rich man to be healthy is by exercise and abstinence, to live as if he were poor.

Sir William Temple (1628-1699, British diplomat, essayist)

Self-denial is the shining sore on the leprous body of Christianity.

Oscar Wilde (1856-1900, British author, wit)

 Back to Daimon Library English Quotes Search Page