God has seen fit that, since our services are useful to many persons, everyone approves them, but only when they are carried out in the spirit of Our Lord.

I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your difficulties. It is in such circumstances that we acquire virtue; where there is no suffering, there is little merit. My wish is that God may grant us great indifference with regard to duties. O Monsieur, how sure we would then be of doing His Holy Will, which is our sole aspiration, and how much peace and contentment we would enjoy, or so it seems to me!

. . . in the final analysis, virtue is not found in extremes, but in prudence . . .

[L]et us work to rid ourselves of our attacks of over-zealousness especially when it offends against respect, esteem, and charity.

[E]xcess in the practice of virtue is no less imperfect than the lack of it.

O Monsieur de Sergis, how important a matter is submission of spirit to a superior!

The works of God are not accomplished when we wish them, but whenever it pleases Him.