A famous person [who may or may not be President] wanted some pleasure. So he did something that while morally wrong, provided physical pleasure. Then he realized that this could REALLY get him in trouble. So he got his lawyer on the case and paid her $130,000 to keep it hush hush.
Nevertheless, the story came out. I am SURE that his wife was THRILLED. It also casts a constant pall on everything he is doing and is a constant source of anguish for him.
So here is the gain vs. the price.
The gain - a few minutes of pleasure [maybe even tremendous, intense, "stormy" pleasure. But very fleeting]. Maybe there were a few times and there were more than a few minutes - but more than an hour? Two hours? Three hours? OK - let's give him three hours.
The price: 130k. OK - Small money for him. But much more - A tremendous amount of stress, anxiety and pressure that never seems to end. A ruptured relationship with his wife [I am sure that he will hear about it from her for the rest of his life - or until she dumps him]. Probably fears she will leave him and he will lose not only her but his son with her as well. Embarrassment in front of the whole world. Tremendous regret and guilt [he doesn't even have Yom Kippur to atone] that will never end [not regret that he sinned against G-d but regret that he put himself in such hot water]. And many more problems I don't even know about. [20 years ago there was another person who may or may not have been President who almost destroyed himself in order to enjoy himself from time to time and was impeached and will be forever remembered for his indiscretions].
He is a mishna in Pirkei Avos. Or rather a commentary on a mishna - הוי מחשב שכר עבירה כנגד הפסדה. Think about how much fun the aveirah will be vs. the loss. There are COUNTLESS people who are in jail and whose lives have been otherwise ruined who could have been saved had they just considered in advance how much this aveira would cost them. When a man cheats on his wife it costs him his house and much of his bank account followed by many years of alimony payments [not to mention heartache]. As I write I think of one famous ballplayer who wanted to enjoy himself, so he did. Not only did he lose his wife as a result, but well over 100 million dollars as well. No sexual escapade is worth 100 million dollars to anyone. The examples are countless and legend.
We all have things we do that in the long term aren't in our best interests. It could be over eating or eating unhealthy foods, being dishonest, stealing, speaking about other people behind their backs, being involved in fights, being stingy when we should be generous, looking at images we should not be looking at, having erotic thoughts, being lazy when we should exercise etc. etc.
So think in advance about the very fleeting benefits and the eternal price. It is NEVER worth it. Being kind, holy and righteous will be good for you not only in the next world but very, very often - in this world as well.
