While the soul is in mortal sin, nothing can profit it; none of its good works merit an eternal reward, since they do not proceed from God as their first principle, and by Him alone is our virtue real virtue.
Teresa of AvilaDo you think it is only a little thing to possess a house from which lovely things can be seen?
Teresa of AvilaIt is not a matter of thinking a great deal but of loving a great deal, so do whatever arouses you most to love.
Teresa of AvilaIt is no small misfortune and disgrace that, through our own fault, we neither understand our nature nor our origin.
Teresa of AvilaMy good works, however wretched and imperfect, have been made better and perfected by Him Who is my Lord: He has rendered them meritorious. As to my evil deeds and my sins, He hid them at once. The eyes of those who saw them, He made even blind; and He has blotted them out of their memory.
Teresa of Avila