Take a deep breath, ladies:

"Conquering the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water."

John of the Cross, Maxims and Counsels.

Let all find compassion in you.

John of the Cross. Maxims and Counsels.

Words

Keep this in mind, daughters: The soul that is quick to turn to speaking and conversing is slow to turn to God.

St. John of the Cross, Letter to Ana de Jesus

O Lord, my God, who will seek you with simple and pure love and not find you are all he desires.

John of the Cross, Sayings of Light and Love.

The Father spoke one Word which was His Son, and this Word He always speaks in eternal silence, and in silence it must be heard by the soul.

John of the Cross, Maxims and Counsels.

This is the ordinary task of hope in the soul: It raises the eyes to look only at God.

John of the Cross, The Dark Night.

Let Christ crucified be enough for you, and with Him suffer and take your rest.

John of the Cross, Maxims and Counsels.

As the tilling of the soil is necessary for its fruitfulness--untilled soil produces only weeds--mortification of the appetites is a requisite for man's spiritual fruitfulness.

John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mt. Carmel

Enter within yourself and work in the presence of your spouse who is ever present loving you.

John of the Cross, Maxims and Counsels