True prayer is only another name for the love of God. Its excellence does not consist in the multitude of our words; for our Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him. The true prayer is that of the heart, and the heart prays only for what it desires. To pray, then is to desire -- but to desire what God would have us desire. He who asks what he does not from the bottom of his heart desire, is mistaken in thinking that he prays.

If we were faultless we should not be so much annoyed by the defects of those with whom we associate.

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

That love of self, which the world advocates, is a thousand times more dangerous than any poison.

Accustom yourself gradually to carry Prayer into all your daily occupation - speak, act, work in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be.

The passion of acquiring riches in order to support a vain expense corrupts the purest souls.

We must truly serve those whom we appear to command; we must bear with their imperfections, correct them with gentleness and patience, and lead them in the way to heaven.