God makes all chosen souls pass through a fearful time of poverty, misery, and nothingness. He desires to destroy in them gradually all the help and confidence they derive from themselves so that He may be their sole source of support, their confidence, their hope, their only resource.

If we wish to quench our thirst, we must lay aside books which explain thirst and take a drink.

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush.

The duties of each moment are the shadows beneath which hides the divine operation.

In the shadow of death he produces life, and though the senses are terrified, faith taking all for the best, is full of courage and assurance.

There is not a moment in which God does not present Himself under the cover of some pain to be endured, of some consolation to be enjoyed, or of some duty to be performed. All that takes place within us, around us, or through us, contains and conceals His divine action.

The soul, light as a feather, fluid as water, innocent as a child, responds to every movement of grace like a floating balloon.