No greater misery…
There is no greater misery than false joys.
— Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
In times of affliction…
In times of affliction, unceasingly call out to the merciful God in prayer. The unceasing invocation of the name of God in prayer is a treatment for the soul which kills not only the passions, but even their very operation. As a doctor finds the necessary medicine, and it works in such a way that the sick person does not understand, in just the same way the name of God, when you call upon it, kills all the passions, although we don’t know how this happens.
— Saint Barsanuphius the Great (Sixth Century)
Satisfaction consists…
Satisfaction consists in the cutting off of the causes of the sin. Thus, fasting is the proper antidote to lust; prayer to pride, to envy, anger and sloth; alms to covetousness.
— Saint Richard of Chichester (c. 1197-1253)
When I fall…
And when I fall, the first time especially, what a light I have on myself! I thought I was strong, that gross temptation would not move me, that I would be faithful in all sorts of environment. I am down–in the dirt–I know myself now! But I know God, too, as I did not before, now I know the radiance of the shadowless light, I know now what sin is.
— Caryll Houselander (1901-1954)
Compromise is a word…
Compromise is a word found only in the vocabulary of those who have no will to fight.
— Saint Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975)
The real conflict…
The real conflict is inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the catacombs of concentration camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are victories on the battle-field if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?
— Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)
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