Abstinence Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old abstinence quotes, abstinence sayings, and abstinence proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. Augustine of Hippo
Abstinence is many times very helpful to the end of religion. John Tillotson
The only way for a rich man to be healthy is, by exercise and abstinence, to live as if he was poor. William Temple
Abstinence is the worst form of perversion. Guy De Maupassant
Plato feels that ethical abstinences and austerities are essential preconditions for the cleansing and opening of the eye of the soul. Plato
To set the mind above the appetites is the end of abstinence, which if not a virtue, is the groundwork of a virtue. Samuel Johnson
Total abstinence is so excellent a thing that it cannot be carried to too great an extent. In my passion for it I even carry it so far as to totally abstain from total abstinence itself. Mark Twain
A virtuous abstinence from the joys of pederasty comes most easily to those who have no taste for it. Oscar Wilde
Abstinence sows sand all over The ruddy limbs and flaming hair, But desire gratified Plants fruits of life and beauty there. William Blake
Abstinence is the great strengthener and clearer of reason. Robert South
Abstinence and fasting cure many a complaint. Danish Proverb
It is not abstinence from pleasures that is best, but mastery over them without being worsted. Aristippus
Abstinence is the surety of temperance Plato
Abstaining so as really to enjoy, is the epicurism, the very perfection, of reason. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
the reward for total abstinence from alcohol seems, illogically enough, to be the capacity for becoming intoxicated without it. Rebecca West
Abstinence from sins is better than seeking help afterwards. Ali Ibn Abi Talib
Temperance is moderation in the things that are good and total abstinence from the things that are foul. Frances E. Willard
While one may lose much because of avarice, nothing was ever accomplished by abstinence. Isuna Hasekura
Abstinence is easier than temperance. Seneca The Younger
Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder for someone else. Dennis Wolfberg
My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable and beneficial, abstinence from spirituous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health. Robert E. Lee
Against diseases here the strongest fence is the defensive vertue, Abstinence. Robert Herrick
No doubt solitude is wholesome, but so is abstinence after a surfeit. The true life of man is in society. William Gilmore Simms
Abstinence from all injustice to other first-rate powers is a greater tower of strength than anything that can be gained by the sacrifice of permanent tranquillity for an apparent temporary advantage. Thucydides
Abstaining is favorable both to the head and the pocket. Horace Greeley
Abstinence is whereby a man refraineth from any thyng which he may lawfully take. Sir Thomas Elyot
Abstinence is as easy to me as temperance would be difficult. Samuel Johnson
On Alcohol: Total abstinence is an impossibility and it will not do to insist on it as a general practice. Queen Victoria
Recommending or insisting on abstinence has been completely ineffective. Bill Nye
Abstinence is a window of clarity through which one can better find one's work and one's mate. Lance Morrow
Love is the only thing that changes abstinence from a prison into pleasure. Jihad Eltabey
Abstinence is approved of God. Geoffrey Chaucer
Lean abstinence, pale grief, and haggard care, The dire attendants of forlorn despair. Mark Pattison
Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy. Voltaire
Abstinence until marriage is the best thing for young people physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. It's the best thing for society as a whole, and it's the message that schools absolutely ought to be sending. Kathy Martin