Faith is at the same time a gift and a virtue. It is a gift of God, in so far as it is a light which God infuses into the soul, and it is also a virtue in so far as it is exercised by the soul. Hence faith is given us not only to serve as a rule of belief, but also of action.
–Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.
–Saint Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215)
Those who fear the Lord do not boast of their good observance. They consider that everything good in them comes not from themselves but from the Lord. They glorify him who is acting in them, saying with the prophet: ‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to thy name give the glory.’
— Saint Benedict (480-547)
Focus on the eternal. Just as a basic concern is to be careful of anything that might be harmful to our physical health, so our spiritual concern should watch out for anything that might harm our spiritual life and the work of faith and salvation. Therefore, carefully and attentively assess your inner impulses: are they from God or from the spirit of evil?
–Saint John Maximovich (1896-1966)
If you want spiritual health, listen to your conscience, do all it tells you, and you will benefit. God and our conscience know our secrets. Let them correct us.
–Saint Mark the Ascetic (Fifth Century)
Knowledge of what is good for him has been given to everyone by God; but self-indulgence leads to negligence, and negligence to forgetfulness.
–Saint Mark the Ascetic (Fifth Century)
