When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.
One of the most evil dispositions possible is that which satirizes and turns everything to ridicule. God abhors this vice, and has sometimes punished it in a marked manner.
Flowers often grow more beautifully on dung-hills than in gardens that look beautifully kept.
The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.
We must never undervalue any person. The workman loves not that his work should be despised in his presence. Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work.
There is no artifice as good and desirable as simplicity.
Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage.
All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.
Charity and devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire.
Be not miserable about what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father, who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow.
Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers.
We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.
When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.
For every great temptation there will be many small ones. Wolves and bears are more dangerous than flies, but we are bothered most by flies.
God requires a faithful fulfillment of the merest trifle given us to do, rather than the most ardent aspiration to things to which we are not called.
Souls do not wish to be bullied, but gently brought back; such is the nature of man.
The Prayer of the sick person is his patience and his acceptance of his sickness for the love of Jesus Christ. Make sickness itself a prayer, for there is none more powerful, save martyrdom!
True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.
Big fires flare up in a wind, but little ones are blown out unless they are carried in under cover.