Fortitude is the disposition of soul which enables us to despise all inconveniences and the loss of things not in our power.

To touch God a little with our mind is a great blessing, to grasp him is impossible.

No eulogy is due to him who simply does his duty and nothing more.

Be always displeased at what thou art, if thou desirest to attain to what thou art not.

Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.

I fell away from you, my God, and I went astray, too far astray from you, the support of my youth, and I became to myself a land of want.