Seldom or never is a poor man honored by the world; however worthy of honor he may be, he is apt rather to be despised by it.
Teresa of AvilaIt is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls.
Teresa of AvilaI once heard a spiritual man say that he was not so much astonished at the things done by a soul in mortal sin as at the things not done by it. May God, in his mercy, deliver us from such great evil, for there is nothing in the whole of our lives that so thoroughly deserves to be called evil as this, since it brings endless and eternal evils in its train.
Teresa of AvilaLord, how you afflict your lovers! But everything is small in comparison to what you give them afterwards.
Teresa of Avila