Rarely is any good done without difficulty; the devil is too subtle and the world too corrupt not to attempt to nip such a good work in the bud

. . . [T]hese [ideas] are only suggestions of the evil spirit who, to jeopardize your salvation, suggests to you extraordinary works that are beyond your strength, under the fine pretext of practicing, on your own, the spiritual and corporal works of mercy . . .

I would rather him to bear patiently with it than to put himself in danger of a greater evil.

It is a maxim of ours to work in the service of the people, with the good pleasure of the pastors, and never to act contrary to their wishes. And, at the opening and closing of each mission, we get their blessing in a spirit of dependence.

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

Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances.

...it is difficult to master one's feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs