Teresa of Avila Quotes - Page 7

Union is as if in a room there were two large windows through which the light streamed in; it enters in different places but it all becomes one.

It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls.

Don't let your sins turn into bad habits.

From moment to moment one can bear much.

Humility does not disturb or disquiet or agitate, however great it may be; it comes with peace, delight, and calm. . . . The pain of genuine humility doesn't agitate or afflict the soul; rather, this humility expands it and enables it to serve God more.

Contemplative prayer [oración mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.

Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of His love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him.

What a miserable life is this! There is no happiness that is secure and nothing that does not change.

True love grows by sacrifice and the more thoroughly the soul rejects natural satisfaction the stronger and more detached its tenderness becomes.

Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end.

Praised be the Lord, who has redeemed me from myself.

Let nothing disturb you, / Nothing dismay you; / All things are passing: / God never changes.

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.

Half-instructed confessors have done my soul great harm; for I could not always have such learned ones as I would have desired. They certainly did not wish to deceive me, but the fact was that they knew no better. Of something which was a venial sin, they said it was no sin, and out of a very grave mortal sin they made a venial sin. This has done me such harm, that my speaking here of so great an evil, as a warning to others, will be readily understood.

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

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

How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer.

How poor is the wisdom of men, and how uncertain their forecast!

Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire.

Our soul can find in the Blessed Sacrament all the joys and consolations it desires.

Nothing is small if God accepts it.

Untilled soil, however fertile it may be, will bear thistles and thorns; so it is with man's mind.

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

Keep this in mind, for it is very important advice, so do not neglect it until you find you have such a fixed determination not to offend the Lord that you would rather lose a thousand lives and be persecuted by the whole world, than commit one mortal sin, and until you are most careful not to commit venial sins.

May I not come before You with empty hands, since we are rewarded according to our deeds.