If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection.

He who interrupts the course of his spiritual exercises and prayer is like a man who allows a bird to escape from his hand; he can hardly catch it again.

Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.

In the inner stillness where meditation leads, the Spirit secretly anoints the soul and heals our deepest wounds.

The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is like a long lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.

Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.

Strive always to confess your sins with a deep knowledge of your own wretchedness and with clarity and purity.