A collection of quotes by Saint Teresa of Avila (Teresa de Jesús) the Spanish mystic philosopher and Doctor of the Church.
Truth suffers, but never dies. ~St. Teresa of Avila
The devil will try to upset you by accusing you of being unworthy of the blessings that you have received. Simply remain cheerful and do your best to ignore the devil’s nagging. If need be even laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Satan, the epitome of sin itself, accuses you of unworthiness! When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future! ~St. Teresa of Avila
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. ~St. Teresa of Avila
It is love alone that gives worth to all things. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Pain is never permanent. ~St. Teresa of Avila
It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not be always the same. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Our greatest gain is to lose the wealth that is of such brief duration and, by comparison with eternal things, of such little worth; yet we get upset about it and our gain turns to loss. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Anyone who truly loves God travels securely. ~St. Teresa of Avila
I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds. ~St. Teresa of Avila
(said of God): If this is the way you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you have so few! ~St. Teresa of Avila
We shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God; for, beholding His greatness, we realize our own littleness; His purity shows us our foulness; and by meditating upon His humility we find how very far we are from being humble. ~St. Teresa of Avila
I am afraid that if we begin to put our trust in human help, some of our Divine help will fail us. ~St. Teresa of Avila
To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that. ~St. Teresa of Avila
There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Be gentle to all and stern with yourself. ~St. Teresa of Avila
To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul. ~St. Teresa of Avila
For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. ~St. Teresa of Avila
What a great favor God does to those He places in the company of good people! ~St. Teresa of Avila
The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit. ~St. Teresa of Avila
I would never want any prayer that would not make the virtues grow within me. ~St. Teresa of Avila
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. ~St. Teresa of Avila
One must not think that a person who is suffering is not praying. He is offering up his sufferings to God, and many a time he is praying much more truly than one who goes away by himself and meditates his head off, and, if he has squeezed out a few tears, thinks that is prayer. ~St. Teresa of Avila
We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can – namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Remember that you have only one soul; that you have only one death to die; that you have only one life, which is short and has to be lived by you alone; and there is only one Glory, which is eternal. If you do this, there will be many things about which you care nothing. ~St. Teresa of Avila
May it please His Majesty that we fear Him whom we ought to fear, and understand that one venial sin can do us more harm than all hell together; for that is the truth. The evil spirits keep us in terror, because we expose ourselves to the assaults of terror by our attachments to honours, possessions, and pleasures. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Satan would fly away before such realities, as from the plague. He is the friend of lies, and a lie himself. He will have nothing to do with those who walk in the truth. ~St. Teresa of Avila
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. ~St. Teresa of Avila
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. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Never compare one person with another: comparisons are odious. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Never exaggerate, but express your feelings with moderation. ~St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa of Avila, also known as Teresa de Jesús, was a Spanish mystic, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church. Her life and writings have left an indelible mark on the world of spirituality and Christian mysticism. In this article, we delve into a collection of quotes by Saint Teresa of Avila, each brimming with profound wisdom, faith, and insight.
The Everlasting Truth
“Truth suffers, but never dies.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa of Avila’s words remind us of the enduring nature of truth. Even in the face of adversity and challenges, truth remains unwavering. It endures the tests of time and stands as an eternal beacon guiding those who seek it.
Facing the Accuser with Cheerfulness
“The devil will try to upset you by accusing you of being unworthy of the blessings that you have received. Simply remain cheerful and do your best to ignore the devil’s nagging. If need be even laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Satan, the epitome of sin itself, accuses you of unworthiness! When the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s words offer a spirited response to the devil’s accusations. She encourages us to maintain our cheerfulness and not be swayed by the tempter’s attempts to undermine our sense of worthiness. The reminder of the devil’s ultimate fate adds a touch of humor to this powerful message of resilience.
Unshaken Faith in God’s Consistency
“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.” – St. Teresa of Avila
These lines from Saint Teresa’s writings echo the steadfast nature of God and the tranquility that faith in His constancy brings. She reminds us that life’s disturbances are fleeting, but God’s unchanging presence is a source of enduring peace and sufficiency.
The Essence of Worth: Love
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa of Avila places love at the core of human existence. In her view, it is love that imbues life with meaning and value. This profound insight underscores the importance of love in our relationships, actions, and endeavors.
The Importance of Truthfulness
“Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s commitment to truth shines through in this quote. She emphasizes the importance of honesty and warns against making statements without certainty. It serves as a reminder of the integrity and responsibility that come with our words and beliefs.
The Transience of Pain
“Pain is never permanent.” – St. Teresa of Avila
In times of suffering and distress, Saint Teresa’s words offer solace. She reassures us that pain, no matter how intense, is temporary. It reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the eventual passing of adversity.
A Call for Personal Growth
“It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not be always the same.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s quote encourages self-awareness and the pursuit of personal growth. While acknowledging human imperfection, she urges us to avoid repeating the same sins. It inspires us to strive for continuous improvement and spiritual development.
The Futility of Material Wealth
“Our greatest gain is to lose the wealth that is of such brief duration and, by comparison with eternal things, of such little worth; yet we get upset about it and our gain turns to loss.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa of Avila’s reflection on material wealth highlights the transitory nature of worldly possessions. She cautions against becoming overly attached to temporary riches, reminding us of the true value of eternal, spiritual treasures.
Security in Love for God
“Anyone who truly loves God travels securely.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s words convey the profound sense of security that stems from a genuine love for God. She suggests that such love serves as a steadfast anchor, guiding and protecting those who embrace it.
Fear of Those Who Fear the Devil
“I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa of Avila’s statement challenges the notion of fear itself. She expresses greater concern for those who live in fear of the devil than for the devil himself. It encourages us to confront and conquer our fears.
The Endless Desires of the Body
“Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s observation on human nature serves as a reminder of our inherent desires and the ever-increasing demands of the physical body. It invites reflection on the pursuit of genuine needs versus the accumulation of material desires.
Humor in Divine Friendships
“(said of God): If this is the way you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you have so few!” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s playful remark, attributed to God, brings a touch of humor to the idea of divine relationships. It playfully ponders the dynamics of friendship with the divine and serves as a reminder of the uniqueness of our connection with the divine.
Knowing Ourselves Through Knowing God
“We shall never learn to know ourselves except by endeavoring to know God; for, beholding His greatness, we realize our own littleness; His purity shows us our foulness; and by meditating upon His humility we find how very far we are from being humble.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s profound insight emphasizes the relationship between self-awareness and knowledge of God. She suggests that our understanding of ourselves deepens as we strive to understand God’s attributes. It underscores the transformative power of divine contemplation.
The Perils of Trusting in Human Help
“I am afraid that if we begin to put our trust in human help, some of our Divine help will fail us.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s cautionary words prompt us to consider the potential consequences of relying solely on human aid. She suggests that excessive trust in human assistance may hinder our access to divine support.
Courage as the Key to Everything
“To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s reflection on courage underscores its central role in facing life’s challenges. She highlights the importance of courage as the key to navigating the complexities of existence.
The Paradox of Answered Prayers
“There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s statement offers a unique perspective on the consequences of prayers being answered. It suggests that sometimes the fulfillment of our desires may bring unexpected challenges or emotions.
Balancing Gentleness and Self-Discipline
“Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s wisdom encapsulated in this quote speaks to the delicate balance between treating others with kindness and maintaining self-discipline. It encourages us to exercise compassion while holding ourselves accountable.
Learning Through Mistakes
“To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s words celebrate the value of learning from one’s mistakes. She suggests that the experiences gained through wandering off the path can be instrumental in reaching a positive destination.
The Power of Acts of Love
“Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s quote emphasizes the transformative power of acts of love. It highlights the profound impact that expressing love can have on one’s soul, creating a sense of warmth and connection.
Friendship with God Through Prayer
“For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s definition of prayer as a form of friendship with God deepens our understanding of the profound nature of prayer. It encourages us to approach prayer as a means of fostering a close relationship with the divine.
Avoiding Harmful Comparisons
“Never compare one person with another: comparisons are odious.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s counsel urges us to avoid the harmful habit of comparing individuals. Comparisons can lead to judgments and prejudices that obscure the unique qualities and worth of each person.
Moderation in Expression
“Never exaggerate, but express your feelings with moderation.” – St. Teresa of Avila
Saint Teresa’s guidance on expressing oneself with moderation underscores the importance of balanced communication. It encourages us to convey our emotions and thoughts without resorting to exaggeration or extremes.
In conclusion, Saint Teresa of Avila’s quotes offer a treasure trove of wisdom, spirituality, and practical guidance. Her words continue to inspire and enlighten individuals on their spiritual journeys. Whether contemplating faith, self-awareness, or the complexities of human nature, Saint Teresa’s insights resonate across generations, providing solace and profound insight to those who seek it.