WIST

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
“Maxims for Her Nuns”
In Complete Works St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 3 (1963) [ed. Peers]

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

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
“Maxims for Her Nuns”

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 (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
“Maxims for Her Nuns,” #25
In Complete Works St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 3 (1963) [ed E. Allison Peers]

Be not perplexed,
Be not afraid,
Everything passes,
God does not change.
Patience wins all things.
He who has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
“Poem IX”

Alt trans., Complete Works St. Teresa of Avila, Vol. 3 (1963) [ed. Peers]:
"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."

From silly devotions and sad-faced saints, O Lord, deliver me.

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
(Attributed)

To have courage for whatever comes in life — everything lies in that.

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
(Attributed)

We cannot know whether we love God, although there may be strong reason for thinking so; but there can be no doubt about whether we love our neighbor or not. Be sure that, in proportion as you advance in fraternal charity, you are increasing your love of God, for His Majesty bears so tender an affection for us that I cannot doubt He will repay our love for others by augmenting, and in a thousand different ways, that which we bear for Him.

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
Interior Castles, “Fifth Mansion,” ch. 3 [tr. Benedictines of Stanbrook (1921)]

God gave us faculties for our use; each of them will receive its proper reward. Then do not let us try to charm them to sleep, but permit them to do their work until divinely called to something higher.

Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) Spanish mystic, poet, philosopher, saint
Interior Castles, “Fourth Mansions,” ch. 3 “Prayer of Quiet” [tr. Benedictines of Stanbrook (1911)]