You are kicking against the pricks, may be said to persons, who, impatient under any affliction or injury, by attempting to avenge themselves, increase their misfortune; or who contend with persons capable of inflicting a much severer punishment, than that which they are suffering. «Paul, Paul, why persecutes thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks». The adage takes its rise from the custom of goading oxen, to make them go forward, with sticks, having sharp points. If they are restive and push backwards, they force the points of the sticks into their flesh.

Striving against the stream, which those may be said to do who attempt to convince obstinately perverse persons of the impropriety of any thing they have once resolved to defend, or of undertaking any project they have determined to accomplish.