The first thing to bear in mind (especially if we ourselves belong to the clerico-academic-scientific type, the officially and conventionally “correct” type, “the deadly respectable” type, for which to ignore others is a besetting temptation) is that nothing can be more stupid than to bar out phenomena from our notice, merely because we are incapable of taking part in anything like them ourselves.

Rickie would not push himself. It was his besetting sin.

I did not then know the besetting sin of woman, the passion to discuss her private affairs with anyone who is willing to listen.

I might also here tell you of the contests and battles that such are engaged in, wherein they find the besettings of Satan, above any other of the saints.

Besetting

Meaning

Verb

Noun

Adj

Related