Much more is accomplished by a single word of the Our Father said, now and then, from our heart, than by the whole prayer repeated many times in haste and without attention.

A beginner must look on himself as one setting out to make a garden for his Lord's pleasure, on most unfruitful soil which abounds in weeds. His Majesty roots up the weeds and will put in good plants instead. Let us reckon that this is already done when the soul decides to practice prayer and has begun to do so.

But the fact is, things always seem to come slowly when you are longing for them.

You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.

Whenever conscience commands anything, there is only one thing to fear, and that is fear.

True perfection consists in the love of God and our neighbour, and the better we keep both these commandments, the more perfect we shall be.

A soul which gives itself to prayer, either much or little, should on no account be kept within narrow bounds.