Sin then is, as we have said, a fearful evil, but not incurable; fearful for him who clings to it, but easy of cure for him who by repentance puts it from him. For suppose that a man is holding fire in his hand; as long as he holds fast the live coal he is sure to be burned, but should he put away the coal, he would have cast away the flame also with it.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture on Repentance and Sin II.i
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture on Repentance and Sin II.i