Red peppers...

We run crazy after things that are like the red peppers, — pretty outside, but hot as fire when we get to playing with them. Our lesson is right hard. But a punishment sin brings with it is remembered longer than a hundred warnings. God doesn’t push us towards hot peppers — He lets us alone, but we are mighty apt to run to Him after we’ve got a fair taste. 
~Marion Harland (Mary Virginia Terhune), Alone, 1857  [A little altered. –tg]