Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me.

We must imitate Christ's life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.

At the least bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully.

So fixed are our spirits in slothfulness and cold indifference that we seldom overcome so much as one evil habit.

Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every burden light.

When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.

We would willingly have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults. We would have others severely corrected and will not be corrected ourselves. The large liberty of others displeases us, and yet we will not have our own desires denied us. We will have others kept under by strict laws, but in no sort will ourselves be restrained. And thus it appears how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.