Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.

You don't love in your enemies what they are, but what you would have them become by your prayers.

Now the Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says, "Knowledge inflates: but love edifies." The only correct inerpretation of this saying is that knowledge is valuable when charity informs it. Without charity, knowledge inflates; that is, it exalts man to an arrogance which is nothing but a kind of windy emptiness.

Even in waging war, cherish the spirit of peace-maker; that, by conquering those whom you attack, you may lead them back to the advantages of peace.

There is something in humility which, strangely enough, exalts the heart, and something in pride which debases it.

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

Trials and tribulations offer us a chance to make reparation for our past faults and sins. On such occasions the Lord comes to us like a physician to heal the wounds left by our sins. Tribulation is the divine medicine.