There is no true and constant gentleness without humility. While we are so fond of ourselves, we are easily offended with others. Let us be persuaded that nothing is due to us, and then nothing will disturb us. Let us often think of our own infirmities, and we will become indulgent towards those of others.

I had often heard Mentor say, that the voluptuous were never brave, and I now found by experience that it was true; for the Cyprians whose jollity had been so extravagant and tumultuous, now sunk under a sense of their danger and wept like women. I heard nothing but the screams of terror and the wailings of hopeless distress. Some lamented the loss of pleasures that were never to return; but none had presence of mind either to undertake or direct the navigation of the menaced vessel.

The gifts of God are not to be rejected on account of the channel that brings them.

Faith is letting down our nets into the transparent deeps at the Divine command, not knowing what we shall draw.

Simplicity is that grace which frees the soul from all unnecessary reflections upon itself.

Let us often think of our own infirmities, and we shall become indulgent toward those of others.

Even if no command to pray had existed, our very weakness would have suggested it.