Accept whatever comes to you woven in the pattern of your destiny, for what could more aptly fit your needs?

Above, below, all around are the movements of the elements. But the motion of virtue is in none of these: it is something more divine, and advancing by a way hardly observed it goes happily on its road.

When you need encouragement, think of the qualities the people around you have: this one's energy, that one's modesty, another's generosity, and so on. Nothing is as encouraging as when virtues are visibly embodied in the people around us, when we're practically showered with them. It's good to keep this in mind.

Let your one delight and refreshment be to pass from one service to the community to another, with God ever in mind.

It is the duty of men to love even those who injure them.

Don't be ashamed to need help. Like a soldier storming a wall, you have a mission to accomplish. And if you've been wounded and you need a comrade to pull you up? So what?

Do what you will. Even if you tear yourself apart, most people will continue doing the same things.