Teresa of Ávila Quotes

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

...aconsejaría yo a los que tienen oración, en especial al principio, procuren amistad y trato con otras personas que traten de lo mismo. Es cosa importantísima, aunque no sea sino ayudarse unos a otros con sus oraciones, ¡cuánto más que hay muchas más ganancias!
Y no sé yo por qué no se ha de permitir que quien comenzare de veras a amar a Dios y a servirle, deje de tratar con algunas personas sus placeres y trabajos, que de todo tienen los que tienen oración.

When I fear I have done wrong, when I look to those who are less wise, when I forget transcendence, and kneel in the meanings of colour and shadow, when I tell lies to my soul, I seek out water, I follow it's charm - a river, a steam, a lake with its springs and currents.
See how it offers life as it flawlessly flows and forms to the shape of this world, the contours of the land, the urge of earth, hear how it sings under the sun, of endless evaporation.

Alma mía, toma la cruz con gran consuelo, que ella sola es el camino para el cielo.

Mirad que no son tiempos de creer a todos, sino a los que viereis van conforme a la vida de Cristo.

as He refuses to force our will, He takes what we give Him but does not give Himself wholly until He sees that we are giving ourselves wholly to Him.

I am quite sure I am more afraid of people who are themselves terrified of the devil than I am of the devil himself.

For at times it happens that some trifle will cause as much suffering to one as a great trial will to another; little things can bring much distress to persons who have sensitive natures. If you are not like them, do not fail to be compassionate.

MY DAY IS ENDING Let nothing, O Lord, disturb the silence of this night. Let nothing make me afraid. For you are with me, and I am with you. Let me not be shy in your presence. Rather let me speak with you in confidence, trust, and love. For you are my father and mother, my brother and sister, my lord, my spouse. In whatever way pleases you, teach me what I must do to please you. However undeserving I am, I humbly ask you to fill this night with the gifts of your love, with the gift of yourself. For if I have you, God, I will want for nothing. You alone suffice.

If we fill the palace with vulgar people and all kinds of junk, how can the Lord and His Court occupy it? When such a crowd is there it would be a great thing if He were to remain for even a short time.

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

Be gentle to all, and stern with yourself.

For, as I have already said, it is the ecclesiastical and not the secular arm which must defend us.

Remember, my sisters, that if we are not good we are much more to blame than others.

But she evidently believes that, generally speaking, infused contemplation is accessible to any Christian who has the resolution to do all that in him lies towards obtaining it.