Anyone who is not totally dead to himself will soon find that he is tempted and overcome by piddling and frivolous things. Whoever is weak in spirit, given to the flesh and inclined to sensual things can, but only with great difficulty, drag himself away from his earthly desires. Therefore he is often gloomy and sad when he is trying to pull himself away from them, and easily gives way to anger should someone attempt to oppose him.

Set me free from evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections; that being inwardly cured and thoroughly cleansed, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere.

If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons.

Now is the time to be doing, now is the time to be stirring, now is the time to amend myself.

Study, therefore, to withdraw the love of your soul from all things that are visible, and turn it to things that are invisible.

Peace and happiness are what you covet, but these are only to be obtained by labor.

God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.