Teresa of Ávila Quotes

134 Sourced Quotes

This body of ours has one fault: the more you indulge it, the more things it discovers to be essential to it. It is extraordinary how it likes being indulged.

Teresa of Ávila
In a state of grace, the soul is like a well of limpid water, from which flow only streams of clearest crystal. Its works are pleasing both to God and man, rising from the River of Life, beside which it is rooted like a tree.

Teresa of Ávila
Prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends.

Teresa of Ávila
Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him.

Teresa of Ávila
From foolish devotions and sour-faced saints may God deliver us!

Teresa of Ávila
However, when all is said, truth suffers, but never dies.

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

Teresa of Ávila
If we plant a flower or a shrub and water it daily it will grow so tall that in time we shall need a spade and a hoe to uproot it. It is just so, I think, when we commit a fault, however small, each day, and do not cure ourselves of it.

Teresa of Ávila
You ought to make every effort to free yourselves even from venial sin, and to do what is most perfect.

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

Teresa of Ávila
As to the aridity you are suffering from, it seems to me our Lord is treating you like someone He considers strong: He wants to test you and see if you love Him as much at times of aridity as when He sends you consolations. I think this is a very great favor for God to show you.

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

Teresa of Ávila
We are always in the presence of God, yet it seems to me that those who pray are in His presence in a very different sense.

Teresa of Ávila
Lord, how you afflict your lovers! But everything is small in comparison to what you give them afterwards.

Teresa of Ávila
So dearly does His Majesty love us that He will reward our love for our neighbor by increasing the love which we bear to Himself, and that in a thousand ways.

Teresa of Ávila
How is it that there are not many who are led by sermons to forsake open sin? Do you know what I think? That is because preachers have too much worldly wisdom.

Teresa of Ávila
It constantly happens that the Lord permits a soul to fall so that it may grow humbler.

Teresa of Ávila
God prefers your health, and your obedience, to your penance.

Teresa of Ávila
Who God possesseth
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.

Teresa of Ávila
The words are very distinctly formed; but by the bodily ear they are not heard. They are, however, much more clearly understood than they would be if they were heard by the ear. It is impossible not to understand them, whatever resistance we may offer... there is no escape, for in spite of ourselves we must listen...

Teresa of Ávila
Granting that we are always in the presence of God, yet it seems to me that those who pray are in His presence in a very different sense; for they, as it were, see that He is looking upon them, while others may go for days on end without even once recollecting that God sees them.

Teresa of Ávila
It will be as well, I think, to explain these locutions of God, and to describe what the soul feels when it receives them.

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

Teresa of Ávila
The devil put before me that I could not endure the trials of the religious life, because of my delicate nurture. I defended myself against him by alleging the trials which Christ endured, and that it was not much for me to suffer something for His sake; besides, He would help me to bear it.

Teresa of Ávila
Always think of yourself as everyone's servant; look for Christ Our Lord in everyone and you will then have respect and reverence for them all.

Teresa of Ávila
Seeing, then, that our Lord is so powerful, — as I see and know He is, — and that the evil spirits are His slaves, of which there can be no doubt, because it is of faith, — and I a servant of this our Lord and King, — what harm can Satan do unto me? Why have I not strength enough to fight against all hell? I took up the cross in my hand, — I was changed in a moment into another person, and it seemed as if God had really given me courage enough not to be afraid of encountering all the evil spirits.

Teresa of Ávila
Never exaggerate, but express your feelings with moderation.

Teresa of Ávila
Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee:
All thing pass;
God never changes.
Patience attains
All that it strives for.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.

Teresa of Ávila
Discontent with this world gives such a painful longing to quit it that, if the heart finds comfort, it is solely from the thought that God wishes it to remain here in banishment.

Teresa of Ávila
A beginner must look on himself as one setting out to make a garden for his Lord's pleasure, on most unfruitful soil which abounds in weeds. His Majesty roots up the weeds and will put in good plants instead. Let us reckon that this is already done when the soul decides to practice prayer and has begun to do so.

Teresa of Ávila