Quotes from Teresa of Avila

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.

The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave - caring nothing whether the words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to mind from being learnt by rote by frequent repetition - cannot be called prayer: God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner.

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.

Anyone who truly loves God travels securely.

Reflect carefully on this, for it is so important that I can hardly lay too much stress on it. Fix your eyes on the Crucified and nothing else will be of much importance to you.

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.

spiritual marriage is like rain falling from heaven into a river

When the Lord is pleased to withdraw, the soul is left in great loneliness; yet all the possible efforts that it might make to regain His companionship are of little avail, for the Lord gives this when He wills and it cannot be acquired. Sometimes again, companionship comes from a saint which is also a great help to us.

Much harm may result from bad company and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse rather than what is better.

It is a dangerous thing to be satisfied with ourselves.

Those who risk all for God will find that they have both lost all and gained all

Sweet Love say Where, how and when What do you want of me? Yours I am, for You I was born: What do you want of me? . . .