The Three Tyrants

Tres sunt tyranni qui contra nos acies suas producunt: diabolus, mundus, et caro. In exercitu diaboli militant vitia; in castris mundi prospera et adversa; in societate carnis desideria terrena. Ex his tribus duo tertio conjuraverunt ad subversionem nostram. Mundus enim et caro diabolo auxilium ferunt contra nos: unus est vicinus, alter domesticus. Mundus enim juxta nos est, caro nobiscum. Idcirco confidit diabolus magis in auxilio carnis, quia plus nocet domesticus hostis. Diabolum vincimus, quando suggestionibus ejus resistimus; mundum vincimus, quando nec appetimus prospera, nec timemus adversa; carnem vincimus, quando ejus desideria nec extinguimus in neccessariis, nec at licita relaximus. Hugo De Sancte Victore, Miscellanea, Liber I, Tit CXCV, De Tribus Tryannis Source: Migne PL 177.585d

There are three tyrants who lead their armies against us, the devil, the world, and the flesh. In the army of the devil the vices fight, in the camp of the world prosperity and adversity, in the company of the flesh, worldly desires. From these three two are joined to the third for our overthrow. For the world and the flesh are an aid to the devil brought against us, one as a neighbour, the other as a servant in the house. The world is next to us, the flesh is with us. Therefore the devil trusts more in the help of the flesh, because an enemy in the house harms us more. We conquer the devil when we resist his suggestions. We conquer the world when we do not seek prosperity and we do not fear adversity. We conquer the flesh when we do not suppress its desires in necessary things, nor do we become too lax in what is permitted. Hugh Of Saint Victor, Miscellanea, Book 1, Chap 195, On The Three Tyrants