Daily quotes on developing virtue from Saints, Popes and others.
"If a sense of guilt weighs down the soul no amount of pleasure on the outside can compensate for the loss of joy on the inside. As sorrow is attendant on sin, so joy is the companion of holiness." Source: Ven. Fulton Sheen, The Way to Happiness
"If you want to avenge yourself on the devil and free yourselves more quickly from temptation, ask the superior, as soon as a temptation comes to you, to give you some lowly office to do, or do some such thing, as best you can, on our own initiative, studying as you do it how to [...]
"Nature has a relish for knowing secrets and hearing news.ÿ It wishes to appear abroad and to have many sense experiences.ÿ It wishes to be known to do things for which it will be praised and admired.ÿ But grace does not care to hear news or curious matter, because all this arises from the old [...]
"When I say that compliments have no effect upon me, Mother, I am not referring to the love and confidence you have shown me; that, on the contrary, touches me deeply, but I feel that I need not be afraid of praise anymore and can enjoy itÿin all simplicity, attributing allÿthat is good in me [...]
"Renounce self, then. Know for certain and for all time that of yourself you can never accomplish anything, neither here nor there, neither today nor to morrow, neither for this one nor for that one, and go ask God's help before beginning- anything whatsoever. This is true humility; to omit it, is stupidity." Source:ÿ [...]
"Nevertheless, there is a difference between humility and abjection; for abjection is the poverty, vileness, and littleness which exist in us, without our taking heed to them; but humility implies a real knowledge and voluntary recognition of that abjection.ÿ And the highest point of humility consists in not merely acknowledging one's abjection, but in taking [...]
"So let silence or a holy argument for virtue be in your mouth to discourage vice.ÿ And when you think you discern vice in others, put it on your own back as well as theirs, acting always with true humility.ÿ Then if the vice is truly there, such people will change their ways all the [...]
"Thus the true cause of the blessedness of the good angels is foundÿto be this, that they cleave to Him who supremely is. And if we ask the cause of the misery of the bad, it occurs to us, and not unreasonably, that they are miserable because they have forsaken Him who supremely is, and [...]
"It is not by isolation that man establishes his worth, but by placing himself in relation with others and with God. Hence these relations take on fundamental importance." Source: Pope Benedict XVI, CARITAS IN VERITATE (Charity in Truth), 6/29/2009
"The word 'kindness' is derived from kindred of kin, and therefore implies and affection which we bear naturally to those who are our flesh and blood." Source:ÿ Ven. Fulton Sheen, The Way to Happiness