We gain the strength of the temptation we resist.

[giddyman]

We gain the strength of the temptation we resist.

This is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.
I just don't get the idea clearly. Can someone explain simply what it means?
Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

He is saying that when we resist temptation, we become stronger.

 

[tedmc]

He is saying that when we resist temptation, we become stronger.

Shouldn't that be "from the temptation we resist"? It is not the strength of the temptation but the strength of having resisted the temptation.

 

[MikeNewYork]

"Resist" handles that. There is no need for "from".

 

[Eckaslike]

Shouldn't that be "from the temptation we resist"? It is not the strength of the temptation but the strength of having resisted the temptation.

The standard use of this sort of phrase would use"from": "We gain strength from the temptation/s we resist".

However, the way the writer has phrased it in the OP's post, contains the meaning Mike mentioned and an additional thought.

The author uses the definite article before the word strength, which in conjunction with the word "of", to me means that whatever the strength or power the temptation has, will be exactly the strength you will gain by resisting it.