Devil does not bring sinners to Hell with their eyes open: he first blinds them with the malice of their own sins. He thus leads them to eternal perdition. Before we fall into sin, the enemy labours to blind us, that we may not see the evil we do, and the ruin we bring upon ourselves by offending God. After we commit sin, he seeks to make us dumb, that, through shame, we may conceal our guilt in confession.
Alphonsus LiguoriWoe to him who neglects to recommend himself to Mary, and thus closes the channel of grace!
Alphonsus LiguoriNew revelations regarding faith or morals ... have always been abhorred and challenged in the Church ... Hence, the Sovereign Pontiffs, the Councils, and the Fathers have been most careful to reject all novelties or new doctrines on matters of faith which differed from those already received.
Alphonsus LiguoriSo great is the compassion excited in Mary by our misery, and such is the love that she bears us, that she prays constantly, and relaxes not her efforts in our behalf.
Alphonsus LiguoriA dancer differeth from a madman only in length of time; one is mad so long as he liveth, the other while he danceth.
Alphonsus LiguoriThe past is no longer yours; the future is not yet in your power. You have only the present wherein to do good.
Alphonsus LiguoriIf, on a rare occasion, it is necessary to speak with some severity in order to make a grievous crime felt, we should always, at the conclusion of the rebuke, add some kind words. We must heal wounds, as the Samaritan did, with wine and oil. But as oil floats above all other liquors, so meekness should predominate in all our actions.
Alphonsus Liguori