Simplicity is the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God, purity unites with and enjoys him.

Trust not to friends and kindred, neither do thou put off the care of thy soul's welfare til hereafter; for men will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of.

Our dependence upon God ought to be so entire and absolute that we should never think it necessary, in any kind of distress, to have recourse to human consolations.

O Lord, you know what is best for me. Let this or that be done, as you please. Give what you will, how much you will, and when you will.

A humble knowledge of ourselves is a surer way to God than is the search for depth of learning.

The more spiritual a man desires to be, the more bitter does his present life become to him; because he sees more clearly and perceives more sensibly the defects of human corruption.

Few spirits are made better by the pain and languor of sickness; as few great pilgrims become eminent saints.