"A soul which gives itself to prayer, either much or little, should on no account be kept within narr..." — Saint Teresa of Avila

What value is there in faith without works? And what are they worth if they are not united to the merits of Jesus Christ, our only good?

While the soul is in mortal sin, nothing can profit it; none of its good works merit an eternal reward, since they do not proceed from God as their first principle, and by Him alone is our virtue real virtue.

Nothing can be compared to the great beauty and capabilities of a soul; however keen our intellects may be, they are as unable to comprehend them as to comprehend God, for, as He has told us, He created us in His own image and likeness.

If God should desire to raise us to the position of one who is an intimate and shares his secrets, we ought to accept this gladly.