Shepherd of Hermas 44

1But I do not know whether these commandments can be kept by a human being, because they are very hard.

2Answering, he says to me, “If you set before yourself that they can be kept, you will keep them easily, and they will not be hard. But if it has already arisen in your heart that they cannot be kept by a human being, you will not keep them.

3I say to you: if you do not keep these, but neglect them, do not follow the commandments of the devil, which are difficult and bitter and savage and licentious; and do not fear the devil, because he has no power against you. For I will be with you—I, the angel of repentance, who has mastery over him. The devil has only fear, but his fear has no force. Therefore do not fear him, and he will flee from you.”