Teresa Of Avila Quotes

However softly we speak, God is near enough to hear us.

Untilled soil, however fertile it may be, will bear thistles and thorns; so it is with man's mind.

Don't imagine that, if you had a great deal of time, you would spend more of it in prayer. Get rid of that idea; it is no hindrance to prayer to spend your time well.

Souls who do not practice prayer are like people whose limbs are paralyzed.

Truth suffers, but never dies.

Mental prayer is nothing else but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him.

Those who in fact risk all for God will find that they have both lost all and gained all.

He who has God finds he is lacking nothing.

Let us live in such a way as not to be afraid to die.

You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.

It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not always be the same.

Let us consider what the glorious Virgin endured, and what the holy apostles suffered, and we shall find that they who were nearest to Jesus Christ were the most afflicted.

All things pass... Patience attains all it strives for.

For pity's sake, don't start meeting troubles halfway.

Anyone who truly loves God travels securely.

We should blush for shame to show so much resentment at what is done or said against us, knowing that so many injuries and affronts have been offered to our Redeemer and the saints.

How poor is the wisdom of men, and how uncertain their forecast!

The life of prayer is just love to God, and the custom of being ever with Him.

Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man.

Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence.

Let there be no disappointment when obedience keeps you busy in outward tasks. If it sends you to the kitchen, remember that the Lord walks among the pots and pans.

Praised be the Lord, who has redeemed me from myself.

Do not think you have gained a virtue unless you have first been tried by its opposite.

Oh, my Lord! How true it is that whoever works for you is paid in troubles! And what a precious price to those who love you if we understand its value.

The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.

All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted.

Happy the heart where love has come to birth.

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.

I thought of the soul as resembling a castle, formed of a single diamond or a very transparent crystal, and containing many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions.

From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.

It is impossible for human tongue to exaggerate the riches which a vision from God brings to the soul: it even bestows health and refreshment on the body.

To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.

Strive to close the eyes of the body and open those of the soul and look into your own heart.

All times are dangerous times.

In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.

Don't let your sins turn into bad habits.

If we learn to love the earth, we will find labyrinths, gardens, fountains and precious jewels! A whole new world will open itself to us. We will discover what it means to be truly alive.

Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.

Prayer is an act of love; words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love.

Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.

I often thought my constitution would never endure the work I had to do, (but) the Lord said to me: 'Daughter, obedience gives strength.'

We need no wings to go in search of Him, but have only to look upon Him present within us.

In the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament we ought to be like the Blessed in heaven before the Divine Essence

Our greatest gain is to lose the wealth that is of such brief duration and, by comparison with eternal things, of such little worth; yet we get upset about it and our gain turns to loss.

With all this wide and beautiful creation before me, the restless soul longs to enjoy its liberty and rest beyond its bound.

I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.

More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.

Love makes labour light. Love alone gives value to all things.

Be kind to all and severe to thyself.