There is a true story of a man who took a young boa constrictor when it was small and began to train it to gently climb around his limbs.  As the snake grew to be of immense size he made his living by giving public exhibitions with it entwined about him.

 His friends warned him to be careful, but he laughed at them. He knew what he was doing; he could control the snake.

 One day the snake became angry as he stood with it encircling his body; it began to tighten more and more.  He found himself choking to death.  He called, or tried to call, for help; his audience cheered, thinking it was part of the act.

 Tighter now it drew him until it crushed his bones and he was strangled.  Falling helpless he soon died in the embrace of this angry monster he thought he could control.

 Desire, is but a serpent that may seem easily managed at first, but soon it will become the master, and land one in perdition.  For the old serpent, called the devil, or Satan, which "deceiveth the whole world," is still deceiving man.