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?

Unless you believe, you will not understand.

Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.

Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked.

This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.

If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don’t accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept because you will gain one friend.

To sing is to pray twice.

Punishment is justice for the unjust.

The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.

Habit, if not resisted, soon becomes necessity.

Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.

Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.

There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart.

It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.

Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.

Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

You aspire to great things? Begin with little ones.

Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.