Daily quotes on developing virtue from Saints, Popes and others.
"Slander is a kind of murder; for we all have three lives – a spiritual life, which depends upon the Grace of God; a bodily life, depending on the soul; and a civil life, consisting in a good reputation. Sin deprives us of the first, death of the second, and slander of the third." [...]
" Daughter, words could never describe the suffering of these wretched little souls. There are three principal vices: The first is selfishness, which in turn gives birth to the second, self-conceit. From this conceit comes the third, pride, with treacherous injustice and cruelty as well as other evil filthy sins generated by these. So also, [...]
"We make a covenant with God, entreating Him to forgive us our sins, as we also forgive our neighbors their debts. Considering then what we receive and in return for what, let us not put off nor delay to forgive one another. The offenses committed against us are slight and trivial, and easily settled; but [...]
"Love is indeed 'ecstasy', not in the sense of a movement of intoxication, but rather as a journey, an ongoing exodus out of the closed inward-looking self towards its liberation through self-giving, and thus towards authentic self-discovery and indeed the discovery of God: 'Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses [...]
" Abide with God that you may learn His kindness. Abide in recollection with yourselves that you may discover your own misery and learn how to despise yourselves. These are the two sources of fraternal charity, and the secret of love for the brethren. Fraternal charity is the well-beloved virtue of Our Lord. It is [...]
"From rash judgments proceed mistrust, contempt for others, pride, and self-sufficiency, and numberless other pernicious results, among which stands forth prominently the sin of slander, which is veritable pest of society." Source: St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Random House, Inc., 2002.
“You commanded me to ask for these mortifications, but Mother Superior will not permit them.” Jesus said, “I was here during your conversation with the Superior and know everything. I don’t demand mortification from you, but obedience. By obedience you give great glory to Me and gain merit for yourself.” Source: St. Faustina, Diary: [...]
"Love now becomes concern and care for the other. No longer is it self-seeking, a sinking in the intoxication of happiness; instead it seeks the good of the beloved: it becomes renunciation, and it is readily, and even willing for sacrifice." Source: Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love: Deus Caritas Est, Ignatius Press, 2006. [...]
"Talkativeness is the throne of vainglory on which it loves to preen itself and show off. Talkativeness is a sign of ignorance, a doorway to slander, a leader of jesting, a servant of lies, the ruin of compunction, a summoner of despondency, a messenger of sleep, a dissipation of recollection, the end of vigilance, the [...]
"Humility makes us receptive to giving of others. You could not give unless I took. It is the taker that makes the giver." Source: Ven. Fulton J. Sheen, Way to Happiness, St. Pauls, 1998.