The freest soul, I think, is the one most forgetful of self. If anyone were to ask me the secret of happiness, I would say it is to no longer think of self, to deny oneself always. That is a good way to kill pride: let it starve to death! You see, pride is love of ourselves; well, love of God must be so strong that it extinguishes all our self-love.
–Saint Elizabeth of the Blessed Trinity (1880-1906)
“Walk in Jesus Christ, rooted in Him, built up on Him strengthened in faith and growing in Him in thanksgiving.” (Col 2:6-7) Yes, little child of my heart and soul, walk in Jesus Christ: you need this broad road, for you were not made for the narrow paths of here below! Be rooted in Him. This implies being uprooted from self, or doing everything as if you were, by denying self each time you meet it. Be built up on Him, high above everything that is passing, there where everything is pure, everything is luminous.
–Saint Elizabeth of the Blessed Trinity (1880-1906)
Be always displeased with what you are if you wish to be what you are not. Keep on adding, keep on walking, keep on progressing: do not delay on the road, do not go back, do not deviate.
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
The essence and power of abstinence is not in refraining from food, but in expelling from the heart every remembrance of evil and other such things. That is true fasting, and what – above all else – the Lord demands.
–Saint Leo of Optina (1768-1822)
As memory of fire does not warm the body, so faith without love does not produce the light of knowledge in the soul.
–Saint Maximos the Confessor (580-662)
Do not have any anxiety about the future. Leave everything in God’s hands for he will take care of you.
–Saint John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719)
