Quotes from Teresa of Avila

how much we owe to the Lord for bringing us to a place where we are so free from business matters, occasions of sin and the society of worldly people.

It is true that I might stumble for trying to do too much too soon, but it is also certain that I will never succeed if I hope for too little, or out of fear of failing start not at all.

Alma mía, toma la cruz con gran consuelo, que ella sola es el camino para el cielo.

we shall not fail to observe the fasts, disciplines and periods of silence which the Order commands; for, as you know, if prayer is to be genuine it must be reinforced with these things--prayer cannot be accompanied by self-indulgence.

It is a most certain truth that the richer we see ourselves to be, confessing at the same time our poverty, the greater will be our progress, and the more real our humility.

Authentic prayer changes us, unmasks us, strips us, indicates where growth is needed.

I know, too, that our progress has nothing to do with the body, which is the thing that matters least.

Lord of ours is so anxious that we should desire Him and strive after His companionship that He calls us ceaselessly, time after time, to approach Him; and this voice of His is so sweet that the poor soul is consumed with grief at being unable to do His bidding immediately; and thus, as I say, it suffers more than

if you would progress a long way on this road and ascend to the Mansions of your desire, the important thing is not to think much, but to love much; do, then, whatever most arouses you to love. Perhaps we do not know what love

Fixed your eyes on the Crucified One and all will seem easy.

the soul of the righteous man is nothing but a paradise, in which, as God tells us, He takes His delight.

True spirituality breaks down the walls of our souls and lets in not just heaven, but the whole world.

At first it may cause a good deal of trouble, for the body insists on its rights, not understanding that if it refuses to admit defeat it is, as it were, cutting off its own head.

Our intellects, no matter how sharp, can no more grasp this than they can comprehend God.

This good companionship began to root out the habits which bad companionship had formed, and to bring my thoughts back to the desire of eternal things.

God is not only the most high, he is also the all-near as well. Teresa's discovery of the presence of God within every soul came in the light of a contemplative grace.

For the devil does not allow a single bad habit to disappear and the very weakness of our mortal nature destroys the virtues in us.

never seem unable to find a reason for thinking I am being virtuous when I make excuses for myself.

by committing a mortal sin, instead of seeking to please God, it prefers to gratify the devil, the prince of darkness, and so comes to share his blackness.

The powers of devils are nothing if these devils do not find souls cowardly and surrendered to them; it is with such souls that they show their power.

Humility must always be doing its work like a bee making honey in the hive: without humility all will be lost.

I often thought my constitution would never endure the work I had to do, (but) the Lord said to me: 'Daughter, obedience gives strength.'

Love turns work into rest.

It is the nature of love to work in a thousand different ways.