Teresa of Ávila Quotes

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

Be gentle to all, and stern with yourself.

. . . it is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done.

This Beloved of ours is merciful and good. Besides, he so deeply longs for our love that he keeps calling us to come closer. This voice of his is so sweet that the poor soul falls apart in the face of her own inability to instantly do whatever he asks of her. And so you can see, hearing him hurts much more than not being able to hear him… For now, his voice reaches us through words spoken by good people, through listening to spiritual talks, and reading sacred literature. God calls to us in countless little ways all the time. Through illnesses and suffering and through sorrow he calls to us. Through a truth glimpsed fleetingly in a state of prayer he calls to us. No matter how halfhearted such insights may be, God rejoices whenever we learn what he is trying to teach us.

In light of heaven, the worst suffering on earth will be seen to be no more serious than one night in an inconvenient hotel.

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

Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man.

It is of great importance, when we begin to practise prayer, not to let ourselves be frightened by our own thoughts.

But always when I was without a book, my soul at once became disturbed, and my thoughts wandered.

Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient.

God withholds Himself from no one who perseveres.

The important thing is not to think much, but to love much.

For if the will has nothing to employ it and love has no present object with which to busy itself, the soul finds itself without either support or occupation, its solitude and aridity cause it great distress and its thoughts involve it in the severest conflict.

It is a great advantage for us to be able to consult someone who knows us, so that we may learn to know ourselves.

To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that