Who said “Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end.”?

Paraphrased

The Talmud, in different words: the idea is theirs, but this popular wording has been altered from the original.

SourceJerusalem Talmud, Shabbat 14:3 (R. Abun, on the evil inclination)

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“Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end.”
— The Talmud
Original (Hebrew), Jerusalem Talmud, Shabbat 14:3

יֶצֶר הָרַע שֶׁרֹאשׁוֹ מָתוֹק וְסוֹפוֹ מַר

Text: Jerusalem Talmud, ed. Heinrich W. Guggenheimer, via Sefaria (CC-BY)

ParaphrasedJerusalem Talmud, Shabbat 14:3 (R. Abun, on the evil inclination) · evidenceSin
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Jerusalem Talmud, Shabbat 14:3 (R. Abun, on the evil inclination).

APA

The Talmud (n.d.). Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/37372-sin-is-sweet-in-the-beginning-but-bitter/

MLA

The Talmud. “Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/37372-sin-is-sweet-in-the-beginning-but-bitter/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

The Talmud. “Sin is sweet in the beginning, but bitter in the end.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/37372-sin-is-sweet-in-the-beginning-but-bitter/.

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