Quotes from Saint Teresa of Avila

Let us consider the glorious Saint Paul: it seems that no other name fell from his lips than that of Jesus, because the name of Jesus was fixed and embedded in his heart.

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.

To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.

What value is there in faith without works? And what are they worth if they are not united to the merits of Jesus Christ, our only good?

God has been very good to me, for I never dwell upon anything wrong which a person has done, so as to remember it afterwards. If I do remember it, I always see some other virtue in that person.

When the soul, through its own fault... becomes rooted in a pool of pitch-black, evil smelling water, it produces nothing but misery and filth.

I was living an extremely burdensome life, because every time I prayed, I became more clearly aware of my faults. On the one hand, God was calling me. On the other, I was following the way of the world. Doing what God wanted made me happy; but I felt bound by the things of this world.

A beginner must look on himself as one setting out to make a garden for his Lord's pleasure, on most unfruitful soil which abounds in weeds. His Majesty roots up the weeds and will put in good plants instead. Let us reckon that this is already done when the soul decides to practice prayer and has begun to do so.

I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.

Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall the love that led Him to bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed in giving us in Christ a pledge of His love; for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him.

May God protect me from gloomy saints.

Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.

If I were to give advice, I would say to parents that they ought to be very careful whom they allow to mix with their children when young; for much mischief thence ensues, and our natural inclinations are unto evil rather than unto good.

I am more afraid of those who are terrified of the devil than I am of the devil himself.

Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.

In light of heaven, the worst suffering on earth will be seen to be no more serious than one night in an inconvenient hotel.

But always when I was without a book, my soul at once became disturbed, and my thoughts wandered.

All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted.

A soul which gives itself to prayer, either much or little, should on no account be kept within narrow bounds.

Those who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner have always a devotion to St. Joseph; for I know not how any man can think of the Queen of the angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the services he rendered them then.

I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him.

I don't know what heavy penance I would not have gladly undertaken rather than practice prayer.

I had many friends to help me to fall; but as to rising again, I was so much left to myself, that I wonder now I was not always on the ground. I praise God for His mercy; for it was He only Who stretched out His hand to me. May He be blessed for ever! Amen.

I have often thought with wonder of the great goodness of God; and my soul has rejoiced in the contemplation of His great magnificence and mercy. May He be blessed for ever! For I see clearly that He has not omitted to reward me, even in this life, for every one of my good desires.