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In an iconic image, Eve is tempted by the serpent in the Garden of Eden

A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological (including feeling guilt), health, economic, etc. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into committing such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss.

[edit] Derivation

Though at present used in many non-religious connotations, the term has implications deeply rooted in Judaism and the The Old Testament, starting with the story of Adam and Eve and the original sin. Many non-Western cultures had no precise equivalent until coming into contact with Europeans; for example, Jesuit missionaries in Brazil, translating the Lord's Prayer into Old Tupi, had to use the Portuguese word tentação, since Tupi had no word expressing "temptation" in that sense.

[edit] Contemporary use

• "Temptation" is usually used in a loose sense to describe actions which indicate a lack of self control.

Temptation is a common recurring theme in world literature. Temptation has repercussions for even the strongest.

• "Temptation" is something that allures, excites, and seduces someone. Infatuation can also lead to temptation as someone might do something for love in spite of one's better judgement.
• In advertising, "temptation" is a theme common to many of the marketing and advertising techniques used to make products more attractive for purchase by consumers.

[edit] External links

Look up temptation, tempter, or temptress in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Temptation