Lord, how you afflict your lovers! But everything is small in comparison to what you give them afterwards.

Learn to self-conquest, persevere thus for a time, and you will perceive very clearly the advantage which you gain from it. As soon you apply yourself to orison, you will at once feel your senses gather themselves together: they seem like bees which return to the hive and there shut themselves up to work at the making of honey. At the first call of the will, they come back more and more quickly. At last, after countless exercises, of this kind, God disposes them to a state of utter rest and of perfect contemplation.

We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.

Strive to close the eyes of the body and open those of the soul and look into your own heart.

Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end . . . and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.

There is no affliction, trial, or labor difficult to endure, when we consider the torments and sufferings which Our Lord Jesus Christ endured for us.

The saints rejoiced at injuries and persecutions, because in forgiving them they had something to present to God when they prayed to Him.