To such persons the memory must still be clear of the first approach of the temptation that was later to take so firm a hold upon them, of the recoil of the mind from it, with terror and repulsion, and yet with a kind of horrible fascination.  It came again and again and stood at the door of the soul, awaiting its admission with a kind of insolent assurance that if it waited long enough, it would have its way.  By degrees, the mind was seized with a kind of tremulous excitement at its approach and bid it begone in tones of less confidence.  It gradually became habituated to its presence outside the soul, feeling its influence, although never yet allowed liberally to cross the threshold.  Then it seemed to gain a certain strange influence over the various faculties, exciting an unaccountable curiosity and forcing them, as it were, to look at it, if only so that they might realize how hateful it was.  At last it pushed open the door in a moment when conscience was off its guard and entered, and in an instant demoralized the whole household of the soul, loosened the passions, won over the imagination, and hypnotized  the will.  And although it was driven out and the doors barred against it, in that moment of its entry, it had made allies for itself, and now the passions and the imagination would loosen the bolts and the will itself would open the door for it.  So it entered without let or hindrance, with an ever-weakening protest from conscience, until at last it gained possession, presided in the council chamber of the soul, cowed and silenced reason, and took the reins of government into its own hands.  –Father Basil W. Maturin “Christian Self-Mastery: How to Govern Your Thoughts, Discipline You Will, and Achieve Balance in Your Spiritual Life”