“Among us on the earth there is His memory; but in the Kingdom of heaven His very Presence. That Presence is the joy of those who have already attained to beatitude; the memory is the comfort of us who are still wayfarers, journeying towards the Fatherland.”

Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are, as it were, the two arms of the soul, with which it embraces and comprehends with all the saints the length and breath, the height and depth, that is the eternity, the love, the goodness, and the wisdom of God.

Action and contemplation are very close companions; they live together in one house on equal terms. Martha and Mary are sisters.

And thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, few reservoirs.

What I know of the divine science and holy scripture, I learnt in the woods and fields.

Wherever…thou shalt be, pray secretly within thyself. If thou shalt be far from a house of prayer, give not thyself trouble to seek for one, for thou thyself art a sanctuary designed for prayer. If thou shalt be in bed, or in any other place, pray there; thy temple is there.

Humility is, of all graces, the chiefest when it does not know itself to be a grace at all.

God has aroused the spirit of kings and princes to root up from the earth the enemies of the Christian name. Therefore gird yourselves manfully and take up joyful arms for the name of Christ.

Your actions in passing, pass not away, for every good work is a grain of seed for eternal life.

The tears of those repenting are the wine of angels.

Grace is necessary to salvation, free will equally so – but grace in order to give salvation, free will in order to receive it.

Ingratitude is the soul’s enemy… Ingratitude is a burning wind that dries up the source of love, the dew of mercy, the streams of grace.

Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a sceptre but a hoe.

Nay, what is worse, turning over corrupt and evil thoughts in mine heart, I thrust a dreadful offensiveness into His presence.

The peacemakers shall be called the sons of God, who came to make peace between God and man. What then shall the sowers of discord be called, but the children of the devil? And what must they look for but their father’s portion?

A truly obedient man does not discriminate between one thing and another, since his only aim is to execute faithfully whatever may be assigned to him.

Prayer is a wine which makes glad the heart of man

With a firm and steadfast mind one should hold under all conditions, that everywhere the earth is below and the sky above and to the energetic man, every region is his fatherland.