Teresa of Avila. Quotes

Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence.
Teresa of Avila.
Don't be curious of matters that don't concern you never speak of them and don't ask about them.
Teresa of Avila.
To wish to act like angels while we are still in this world is nothing but folly.
Teresa of Avila.
Granting that we are always in the presence of God yet it seems to me that those who pray are in His presence in a very different sense for they as it were see that He is looking upon them while others may go for days on end without even once recollecting that God sees them.
Teresa of Avila.
More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.
Teresa of Avila.
Let him never cease from prayer who has once begun it be his life ever so wicked for prayer is the way to amend it and without prayer such amendment will be much more difficult.
Teresa of Avila.
From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints good Lord deliver us.
Teresa of Avila.
God prefers your health and your obedience to your penance.
Teresa of Avila.
Learn to self-conquest persevere thus for a time and you will perceive very clearly the advantage which you gain from it.
Teresa of Avila.
Patient endurance attends to all things.
Teresa of Avila.
To wish to act like angels while we are still in this world is nothing but folly.
Teresa of Avila.
Granting that we are always in the presence of God yet it seems to me that those who pray are in His presence in a very different sense for they as it were see that He is looking upon them while others may go for days on end without even once recollecting that God sees them.
Teresa of Avila.
More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.
Teresa of Avila.
Let him never cease from prayer who has once begun it be his life ever so wicked for prayer is the way to amend it and without prayer such amendment will be much more difficult.
Teresa of Avila.
From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints good Lord deliver us.
Teresa of Avila.
God prefers your health and your obedience to your penance.
Teresa of Avila.
Learn to self-conquest persevere thus for a time and you will perceive very clearly the advantage which you gain from it.
Teresa of Avila.
Patient endurance attends to all things.
Teresa of Avila.
To argue over who is the more noble is nothing more than to dispute whether dirt is better for making bricks or for making mortar.
Teresa of Avila.
How is it Lord that we are cowards in everything save in opposing Thee?
Teresa of Avila.
Holy church-that mother who is also a queen because she is a king's bride.
Teresa of Avila.
As to the aridity you are suffering from it seems to me our Lord is treating you like someone He considers strong: He wants to test you and see if you love Him as much at times of aridity as when He sends you consolations. I think this is a very great favor for God to show you.
Teresa of Avila.
The best thing must be to flee from all to the All.
Teresa of Avila.
We know only that we are living in these bodies and have a vague idea because we have heard it and because our faith tells us so that we possess souls. As to what good qualities there may be in our souls or who dwells within them or how precious they are those are things which we seldom consider and so we trouble little about carefully preserving the soul's beauty.
Teresa of Avila.
However much we do to avoid them we shall never lack crosses in this life if we are in the ranks of the Crucified.
Teresa of Avila.
It is only mercenaries who expect to be paid by the day.
Teresa of Avila.
With all this wide and beautiful creation before me the restless soul longs to enjoy its liberty and rest beyond its bound.
Teresa of Avila.
Let nothing disturb you nothing frighten you all things are passing God never changes.
Teresa of Avila.
To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.
Teresa of Avila.
Pain is never permanent.
Teresa of Avila.
Let nothing disturb thee Let nothing affright thee All things are passing God changeth never.
Teresa of Avila.
To have courage for whatever comes in life-everything lies in that.
Teresa of Avila.
Life is to life in such a way that we are not afraid to die.
Teresa of Avila.
The saints rejoiced at injuries and persecutions because in forgiving them they had something to present to God when they prayed to Him.
Teresa of Avila.
It constantly happens that the Lord permits a soul to fall so that it may grow humbler.
Teresa of Avila.
. . . it is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done.
Teresa of Avila.
For if the will has nothing to employ it and love has no present object with which to busy itself, the soul finds itself without either support or occupation, its solitude and aridity cause it great distress and its thoughts involve it in the severest conflict.
Teresa of Avila.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours,Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ's compassion to the worldYours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good;Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.
Teresa of Avila.