Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light. - John of the Cross

Have a great love for those who contradict and fail to love you, for in this way love is begotten in a heart that has no love.

There is another reason also why the soul has traveled safely in this obscurity; it has suffered: for the way of suffering is safer, and also more profitable, than that of rejoicing and of action. In suffering God gives strength, but in action and in joy the soul does but show its own weakness and imperfections. And in suffering, the soul practices and acquires virtue, and becomes pure, wiser, and more cautious.

in general, that which is to our greater profit — the loss and annihilation of self — we esteem a calamity; and that which is of but little value — comfort and sweetness, where, in general, we lose instead of gaining — we look upon as the more advantageous for us.