English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

From The Bible account of Jesus' last night in Gethsemane. Matthew 26:41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Proverb [ edit ]

the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

As much as one wishes to achieve something, the frailties of the human body often make it impossible.