Perfection does not consist in macerating or killing the body, but in killing our perverse self-will.

Penance to be sure must be used as a tool, in due times and places, as need may be. If the flesh, being too strong, kicks against the spirit, penance takes the rod of discipline, and fast, and the cilice of many buds, and mighty vigils; and places burdens enough on the flesh, that it may be more subdued. But if the body is weak, fallen into illness, the rule of discretion does not approve of such a method.

And let the truth be your delight...Proclaim it..., but with a certain congeniality.

Perfection does not consist in macerating or killing the body, but in killing our perverse self-will.

Obedient people never trust in themselves.

Whoever loves himself or the world inordinately becomes incompatible with himself.

And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.