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...or if, as I have said, you are very careful about your prayer, you will soon find yourselves gradually reaching the summit of the mountain without knowing how. But how harsh it sounds to say that we must take pleasure in nothing, unless we also say what consolations and delights this renunciation brings in its train, and what a great gain it is, even in this life!

The fly that clings to honey hinders its flight, and the soul that allows itself attachment to spiritual sweetness hinders its own liberty and contemplation.

I invited the whole earth to bless you, to serve you. Forever and always, never to end! I invited the entire sea to bless you, to serve you. Forever and always, never to end! I called him, invited ungrateful man, to bless you, to serve you, to praise and to love you, forever and always, never to end.

Everything with which the soul occupies itself on the natural plane should be rooted out; thus it can be taught to know God, placing all its satisfaction in Him alone.

Hope creates an emptiness in the memory constraining it to occupy itself with something it does not yet possess. It teaches us to hope for everything from God and for nothing from ourselves or from other creatures; to hope for eternal happiness from Him and therefore to renounce every pleasure and possession in this life.

O Mary, anyone who looks at you is comforted in any anxiety or tribulation or pain, and is victorious over any temptation. Anyone who does not know something about God, let him have recourse to you, O Mary.

He should not go seeking after new things which can only satisfy the desires in a superficial manner (and even here cannot satisfy fully) while leaving the spirit weak and empty, without deep inner virtue.

Don't be terrified by the new life that is opening up to you, for being a child of Mary, she will cover you with her mantle.

The lover looks not at the gifts, but turns himself to the Giver, above all goods.

Humility and detachment are two inseparable sisters.

If you desire to be perfect, sell your will, give it to the poor in spirit, come to Christ in meekness and humility, and follow him to Calvary and the sepulcher.

Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end . . . and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.