The devil makes small sins seem smaller in our eyes, for otherwise he can't lead us to greater evil.

A man who hates the passion cuts off their causes. But a man who remains among their causes experiences even against his will the conflict from the passions. It is not possible to be mentally inclined toward a passion if one does not love its cause. For who, disdaining shame, is given to vainglory? Or who, loving lowliness, is bothered by dishonor? Who, having a broken and humble heart, accepts fleshly sweetness? Or who, believing in Christ, is concerned about temporal things, or argues about them?

It is better to pray with good will for our neighbor, rather than to denounce him for every sin.

The sign of sincere love is to forgive wrongs done to us. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world.

Whoever with fear of God corrects and directs a sinner gains virtue for himself, that of opposition to sin. But whoever insults a sinner with rancor and without good will falls, according to a spiritual law, into the same passion with the sinner.

Every affliction tests our will, showing whether it is inclined to good or evil. That is why an unforeseen affliction is called a test, because it enables a man to test his hidden desires.

One evil receives strength from another. In the same way, good deeds also sprout one from another, and the one in whom they are found grows larger.