Let us not desire delights, daughters: We are well-off here; the bad inn lasts only a night.

St. Teresa of Avila

. . . God doesn't lead all by one path. . . so not because all in this house practice prayer must all be contemplatives; that's impossible.

St. Teresa of Avila

The soul is therefore neither content with nor desirous of the world's satisfactions, because it has in itself what pleases it more. . . . Being with Him is what it wants.

St. Teresa of Avila

. . . in order to . . . ascend to the dwelling places we desire, the important thing is not to think much but to love much: and so do that which best stirs you to love.

St. Teresa of Avila

Well now, as these little dovecotes of the Virgin, Our Lady, were beginning to be inhabited, the Divine Majesty began to show His greatness in these weak little women who were strong though in their desires and their detachment from every creature.

St. Teresa of Avila

Well do I know that to abandon prayer was no longer in my hands for He held me in His.

St. Teresa of Avila

What is necessary, daughters, is that we be content with little.

St. Teresa of Avila

At other times I think I have great courage and that I wouldn't turn from anything of service to God:. . . another day will come in which I won't find the courage in me to kill even an ant for God if in doing so I'd meet with any opposition.

St. Teresa of Avila