"Necessity is laid upon us to examine ourselves with diligence to find out what are the virtues, which we chiefly lack, and which are the hardest for us to acquire; we should seek to learn the sins that do most easily beset us, and the times and occasions, when we do must often fail." [...]
"Without care and diligence you will never acquire virtue. When you begin to grow lukewarm, you are falling into the beginning of evil; but if you give yourself to fervor, you will find peace and will experience less hardship because of God’s grace and the love of virtue." Source: Thomas a’ Kempis, The Imitation [...]
"You should each do your duty; and, if this is not appreciated by your superior, you may be sure that is will be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord. We did not come here to seek rewards in this life, but only in the life to come." Source: Saint Teresa of Avila, The Way [...]
"No amount of piety in leisure hours can compensate for slipshod labor on the job. But any honest task, well done, can be turned into a prayer." Source: Ven. Fulton J. Sheen, Way to Happiness, St. Pauls, 1998.
"Contentment is not an innate virtue. It is acquired through great resolution and diligence in conquering unruly desires; hence it is an art which few study." Source: Ven. Fulton J. Sheen, Way to Happiness, St. Pauls, 1998.
"Therefore, my daughter, be careful and diligent in all your affairs; God, Who commits them to you, wills you to give them your best attention; but strive not to be anxious and solicitous, that is to say, do not set about your work with restlessness and excitement, and do not give way to bustle and [...]