“Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen”

Rarely affirm, seldom deny, always distinguish.

Beware the man of a single book.

The truth of our faith becomes a matter of ridicule among the infidels if any Catholic, not gifted with the necessary scientific learning, presents as dogma what scientific scrutiny shows to be false.

Better to illuminate than merely to shine to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

When the devil is called god of this world, it is not because he made it, but because we serve him with our worldiness.

Love follows knowledge.

Fear is such a powerful emotion for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right out of our hearts.

God has no need for our worship. It is we who need to show gratitude for what we have received.

It is only god who creates. Man merely arranges.

We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship

True peace consists in not separating ourselves from the will of god.

Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.

God himself would not permit evil in this world if good did not come of it for the benefit and harmony of the universe.

Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.