Why persist in walking difficult and toilsome paths? There is no repose where you are seeking it. Search as you like, it is not where you are looking. You are seeking a happy life in the realm of death, and it will not be found there. How could life be happy where there is no life at all?
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
There is nothing more to the purpose for exciting a spirit of prayer, than the reading of spiritual books.
–Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
For although God is right with us and in us and out of us and all through us, we have to go on journeys to find him.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Love, in fact, is the spiritual life; and without it, all other exercises of the spirit are emptied of content.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Do everything for the glory of God, and in no thing – either outwardly nor inwardly – intend anything other than this glory. It should be the measuring stick of every endeavor and place its seal on each one.
–Saint Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
I urge you to meditate seriously on the word of God, and not to think lightly of the writings which your Creator has bequeathed to us. Beyond all doubt they afford warmth to hearts which would otherwise be numb with cold because of our sins.
–Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540-604)
