Thoughts from the Interior Castle

Souls without prayer are like bodies, palsied and lame, having hands and feet they cannot use.

True perfection consists in the love of God and our neighbour, and the better we keep both these commandments, the more perfect we shall be.

However many years life might last, no one could ever wish for a better friend than God.

It is encouraging to see that trials which seemed to us impossible to submit to are possible to others, and that they bear them sweetly. Their flight makes us try to soar, like nestlings taught by the elder birds, who, though they cannot fly far at first, little by little imitate their parents.

Let us look at our own faults, and not at other persons'. People who are extremely correct themselves are often shocked at everything they see; however, we might often learn a great deal that is essential from the very persons whom we censure. Our exterior comportment and manners may be better--this is well enough, but not of the first importance. We ought not to insist on every one following in our footsteps, nor to take upon ourselves to give instructions in spirituality when, perhaps, we do not even know what it is.

Quotes from Interior Castle by Theresa of Avilia. link here for the complete text

photo: Bodiam Castle

check out Theresa of Avilia's thumb nail Living Water Ancient Well bio