St. Teresa of Ávila

“What sort of dwelling, then, is one in which a King so mighty, so wise and so pure, finds His happiness?”

“Let us think of our soul as a castle made of a single diamond or of very clear crystal.”

“In which there are many rooms, just as in heaven there are many mansions.”

“For really, sisters, when we consider it carefully, the soul of the righteous is nothing else but a paradise.”

“It is no small misfortune and disgrace that we do not know what we are.”

“It would show great stupidity if any one were to ask who he was, and could not say, and did not even know who his father and mother were.”

“Now, then, when our talk turns to the heart, instead of starting from there, we start from the outside.”

“In a word, the door of entry into this castle is prayer.”

“Vocal prayer practiced as it should be, with the soul attentive to whom we are addressing, is mental prayer.”

“Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends.”

“It means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.”

“The important thing is not to think much, but to love much, and so do that which best stirs you to love.”

“Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.”

“He gives himself to us in the measure that we give ourselves to him.”

“Always think of yourself as everyone's servant.”

“Look for Christ Our Lord in everyone, and you will then have respect and reverence for them all.”

“True perfection consists in love of God and our neighbor.”

“The closer we come to him, the better we shall keep these commandments.”

“It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found — not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin.”