The same know contentment, for beauty is their lover, and beauty is never absent from this world.
Teresa of AvilaWe may think it humility not to realize that the Lord is bestowing gifts upon us. Let us understand very, very clearly, how this matter stands. God gives us these gifts for no merit of ours. Let us be grateful to His Majesty for them, for, unless we recognize that we are receiving them, we shall not be aroused to love Him. And it is a most certain thing that, if we remember all the time that we are poor, the richer we find ourselves, the greater will be the profit that comes to us and the more genuine our humility.
Teresa of AvilaTo argue over who is the more noble is nothing more than to dispute whether dirt is better for making bricks or for making mortar.
Teresa of AvilaHow often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer.
Teresa of AvilaBefore prayer, endeavour to realise Whose Presence you are approaching and to Whom you are about to speak, keeping in mind Whom you are addressing. If our lives were a thousand times as long as they are we should never fully understand how we ought to behave towards God, before Whom the very Angels tremble, Who can do all He wills, and with Whom to wish is to accomplish.
Teresa of Avila