"If we were to die to self-love, soon we would enjoy spiritual things and then we would experience heavenly contemplation. As it is, we do not force ourselves to overcome our passions and disorderly desires and to follow the path of the Saints and this is our greatest obstacle to contemplation. As soon as any little difficulty comes our way, we are easily cast down and turn to human consolation."
Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eleven
