Archive

Through this humility acquired by means of self-knowledge, individuals are purged of all those imperfections of the vice of pride into which they fell in the time of their prosperity. Aware of their own dryness and wretchedness, the thought of their being more advanced than others does not even occur in its first movements, as it did before; on the contrary, they realize that others are better.

The soul loses itself, making no account whatever of itself but of the Beloved, resigning itself freely into His hands without any self-seeking. It holds everything of no value unless it serves the beloved.

But God also, by means of this dark and dry night of contemplation, supernaturally instructs in his divine wisdom the soul that is empty and unhindered.

Spiritual persons must exercise care that in their heart and joy they do not become attached to temporal goods. They must fear lest, through a gradual increase, their small attachments become great.

Perfection does not lie in the virtues that the soul knows it has, but in the virtues that our Lord sees in it. This is a closed book; hence one has no reason for presumption, but must remain prostrate on the ground with respect to self.

They are too much embarrassed to confess their sins nakedly, lest their confessors should think less of them, so they palliate them and make them appear less evil, and thus it is to excuse themselves rather than to accuse themselves that they go to confession.

Keep spiritually tranquil in a loving attentiveness to God, and when it is necessary to speak, let it be with the same calm and peace.

In all things, both high and low, let God be your goal, for in no other way will you grow in merit and perfection.

Endeavor always that things be not for you, nor you for them, but forgetful of all, abide in recollection with your Spouse.

What you most seek and desire you will not find by this way of yours, nor through high contemplation, but in much humility and submission of heart.

"In perfect love this law holds: that the lover become like the one he loves; for the greater their likeness the greater their delight. Surely your bride's delight would greatly increase were she to see you like her, in her own flesh." "My will is yours," the Son replied, "and my glory is that your will be mine...

The waters of interior delights do not spring from the earth; the mouth of desire must be turned towards heaven, and be empty of everything else.