Quotes from Philip Neri

Even though a man may be unable to attain such a height of sanctity, he ought to desire it, so as to do at least in desire what he cannot carry out in effect.

Let the sick man enter into the Side of Jesus and His most holy Wounds; let him not be afraid, but combat manfully, and he will come forth victorious.

If we wish to keep peace with our neighbours, we should never remind any one of his natural defects.

The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love.

Christian joy is a gift of God flowing from a good conscience.

Believe me, there is no more powerful means to obtain God's grace than to employ the intercessions of the Holy Virgin.

Obedience is the true holocaust which we sacrifice to God on the altar of our hearts.

It is an old custom of the servants of God to have some little prayer ready and to be frequently darting them up to heaven during the day, lifting their minds to God out of the mire of this world.

The stench of impurity before God and the angels is so great, that no stench in the world can equal it.

The great thing is to become Saints.

There is nothing the devil fears so much, or so much tries to hinder, as prayer.

The best way to prepare for death is to spend every day of life as though it were the last.

Those who have themselves for a spiritual director have a fool for a spiritual director.

There is nothing more dangerous in the spiritual life, than to wish to rule ourselves after our own way of thinking.

First let a little love find entrance into their hearts, and the rest will follow.

He who is unable to spend a long time together in prayer, should often lift up his mind to God by short prayers.

The perfection of a Christian consists in mortifying his will for the love of Christ. Where there is no great mortification, there is no great sanctity.

He who desires anything but God deceives himself, and he who loves anything but God errs miserably.

We must not trust in ourselves, but take the advice of our spiritual father, and recommend ourselves to everybodys prayers.

Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if he wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength.

My children, if you desire perseverance, be devout to our Blessed Lady.