Saint Teresa of Avila

All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted.

Those who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner have always a devotion to St. Joseph; for I know not how any man can think of the Queen of the angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the services he rendered them then.

I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.

Our souls may lose their peace and even disturb other people's, if we are always criticizing trivial actions - which often are not real defects at all, but we construe them wrongly through our ignorance of their motives.

The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.

The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.

In a state of grace, the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree.

I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him.

To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.

To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.

Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.