Quotes by Saint Teresa of Avila

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Courage

Those who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner have always a devotion to St. Joseph; for I know not how any man can think of the Queen of the angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the services he rendered them then.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

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

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

I have often thought with wonder of the great goodness of God; and my soul has rejoiced in the contemplation of His great magnificence and mercy. May He be blessed for ever! For I see clearly that He has not omitted to reward me, even in this life, for every one of my good desires.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Life

Prayer is an act of love; words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Love

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Friendship

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Love

My father was a man of great charity towards the poor, and compassion for the sick, and also for servants; so much so, that he never could be persuaded to keep slaves, for he pitied them so much: and a slave belonging to one of his brothers being once in his house, was treated by him with as much tenderness as his own children.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Love

It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found - not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Love

I had many friends to help me to fall; but as to rising again, I was so much left to myself, that I wonder now I was not always on the ground. I praise God for His mercy; for it was He only Who stretched out His hand to me. May He be blessed for ever! Amen.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Friendship

To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

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.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Life

All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding His life we find that He is the best example.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Life

The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

Don't let your sins turn into bad habits.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

God has been very good to me, for I never dwell upon anything wrong which a person has done, so as to remember it afterwards. If I do remember it, I always see some other virtue in that person.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

What friends or kindred can be so close and intimate as the powers of our soul, which, whether we will or no, must ever bear us company?

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Friendship

Nothing can be compared to the great beauty and capabilities of a soul; however keen our intellects may be, they are as unable to comprehend them as to comprehend God, for, as He has told us, He created us in His own image and likeness.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

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.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Success

If I should say anything that is not in conformity with what is held by the Holy Roman Catholic Church, it will be through ignorance and not through malice. This may be taken as certain, and also that, through God's goodness, I am, and shall always be, as I always have been, subject to her.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

When I took the habit, the Lord immediately showed me how He favours those who do violence to themselves in order to serve Him. No one saw what I endured... At the moment of my entrance into this new state I felt a joy so great that it has never failed me even to this day; and God converted the dryness of my soul into a very great tenderness.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Happiness