Quotes from Therese of Lisieux

Perfection consists in doing His will, in being that which He wants us to be.

I feel in me the vocation of the Priest. I have the vocation of the Apostle. Martyrdom was the dream of my youth, and this dream has grown with me. Considering the mystical body of the Church, I desired to see myself in them all.

The science of loving, yes, that's the only kind of science I want I'd barter away everything I possess to win it.

Trying to do good to people without God's help is no easier than making the sun shine at midnight. You discover that you've got to abandon all your own preferences, your own bright ideas, and guide souls along the road our Lord has marked out for them. You mustn't coerce them into some path of your own choosing.

I have often noticed that Jesus will not give me a store of provisions; He nourishes me with food that is entirely new from moment to moment, and I find it in my soul without knowing how it got there.

Even now I know it: yes, all my hopes will be fulfilled... yes... the Lord will work wonders for me which will surpass infinitely my immeasurable desires.

Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us. He gives it only to His chosen friends.

One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.

I am not afraid of a fight; I have to do my duty, come what may.

Above the clouds the sky is always blue.

Discouragement itself is a form of pride.

I'm suffering very much, but am I suffering very well? That's the point!

Let us rise above the things that pass away. Up above, the air is so pure. Jesus can hide Himself but we will find Him there.

The great majority of men use their own short-sighted ideas as a yardstick for measuring the divine omnipotence.

The country in which I live is not my native country that lies elsewhere and it must always be the center of my longings.

If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.

the more one advances, the more one sees the goal is still far off. And now I am simply resigned to see myself always imperfect and in this I find my joy.

Each prayer is more beautiful than the others. I cannot recite them all and not knowing which to choose, I do like children who do not know how to read, I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me. For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.