"You have satiated yourself with worldly delights, and so no wonder that spiritual pleasures are repulsive to you. 'To the overfed dove even cherries are bitter,' says the old proverb; and Our Lady in her song of praise says, 'He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.' [...]
"Indeed there are more bad than good results arising from it (sorrow), for the only good ones are mercy and repentance; whereas there are six evil results, namely, anguish, sloth, indignation, jealously, envy, and impatience." Source: St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Random House, Inc., 2002.
"When you are conscious that you are growing anxious, commend yourself to God, and resolve steadfastly not to take any steps whatever to obtain the result you desire, until your disturbed state of mind is altogether quieted unless indeed it should be necessary to do something without delay." Source: St. Francis de Sales, Introduction [...]
"If anyone strives to be delivered from his troubles out of love of God, he will strive patiently, gently, humbly, and calmly, looking for deliverance rather to God’s Goodness and Providence than to his own industry or efforts; but if self-love is the prevailing object he will grow hot and eager in seeking relief, as [...]
"If you are given to avarice, think often of the folly of this sin, which makes us the slave of what was made only to serve us; remember how when we die we must leave all we possess to those who come after us, who may squander it, ruin their own souls b misusing it, [...]
"Simply turn your whole heart towards Jesus Christ Crucified, and lovingly kiss His Sacred feet. This is the best way to conquer the enemy… Moreover, this way of dealing with temptation is so offensive to the Evil One that, finding he does but provoke souls to an increased love of God by his assaults, he [...]
"Examine from time to time what are the dominant passions of your soul, and having ascertained this, mold your life, so that in thought, word, and deed you may as far as possible counteract them. For instance, if you know that you are disposed to be vain, reflect often upon the emptiness of this earthly [...]
"Simply turn with your whole heart toward Jesus Christ Crucified, and lovingly kiss His Sacred Feet. This is the best way to conquer the Enemy, whether in small or great temptations; for inasmuch as the Love of God contains the perfection of every virtue, and that more excellently than the very virtues themselves; it is [...]
"While it is not a hard thing to abstain from murder, but it is very difficult to avoid all passing fits of anger, which assail us at every moment. A man or woman can easily keep from adultery, often difficult to resist coveting them; easy to avoid bearing false witness in direct judgment, difficult to [...]
"While it is right to resist great temptations with invincible courage, and all such victories will be most valuable, still there is perhaps more absolute profit to our souls in resisting little ones." Source: St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Random House, Inc., 2002.