No one should judge that he has greater perfection because he performs great penances and gives himself in excess to the staying of the body than he who does less, inasmuch as neither virtue nor merit consists therein; for otherwise he would be an evil case, who for some legitimate reason was unable to do actual penance. Merit consists in the virtue of love alone, flavored with the light of true discretion without which the soul is worth nothing.
St. Catherine of SienaThe strongest and purest love is not the one that starts from impressions, but the one that comes from admiration.
St. Catherine of SienaIt is the nature of love to love as much as we feel we are loved and to love whatever the one we love loves.
St. Catherine of SienaEven if [the Pope an incarnate devil], we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom... He who rebels against our Father is condemned to death, for that which we do to him we do to Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Pope; we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the Pope.
St. Catherine of Siena