"Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it"

This quote by Thomas Jefferson is a cautioning to be careful and to think prior to acting. It is a tip to not be easily swayed by the promise of satisfaction, but to put in the time to investigate and make certain that there are no concealed effects. The metaphor of a bait and a hook is utilized to show the idea that something that appears to be desirable might have a hidden cost. The quote is a pointer to be mindful of the potential threats and to not be too quick to accept something that may seem too good to be real. It is a suggestion to put in the time to think prior to making decisions and to be aware of the prospective repercussions.