R. Meir used to scoff at people who committed sins, for he said: "Every man can subdue his evil inclinations so as not to commit sin."

One time the Yezer ha-Re' (evil inclination) tried to tempt him and, taking on the shape of a beautiful woman, stood on the opposite side of the river. When R. Meir beheld her, his passion

flared up and he desired to possess her. But there was no bridge, nor was there a boat to ferry him across. So he took a small board and stood on it to ferry himself across, but before doing it he threw a rope across, which he fastened on the other side and held on to, so as not to fall.

When he was half way across, his passion left him and he no longer desired the young woman.

Then the Yezer ha-Ra' (evil spirit) said: "If it were not that they proclaim in heaven concerning you: 'Take care of R. Meir and his Torah,' I would throw you into the water and drown you."