Sordid and infamous sensuality, the most dreadful evil that issued from the box of Pandora, corrupts every heart, and eradicates every virtue. Fly! wherefore dost thou linger? Fly, cast not one look behind thee; nor let even thy thought return to the accursed evil for a moment.

No human power can force the intrenchments of the human mind: compulsion never persuades; it only makes hypocrites.

There are some people who think that they should be always mourning, that they should put a continual constraint upon themselves, and feel a disgust for those amusements to which they are obliged to submit. For my own part, I confess that I know not how to conform myself to these rigid notions. I prefer something more simple, which I also think would be more pleasing to God.

Peace does not dwell in outward things but within the soul; we may preserve it in the midst of the bitterest pain, if our will remains firm and submissive. Peace in this life springs from acquiescence to, not an exemption from, suffering.

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

To be faithful in prayer it is indispensable that we arrange all the activities of the day with a regularity that nothing can disturb

The smallest things become great when God requires them of us; they are small only in themselves; they are always great when they are done for God.