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In the beginning the body causes difficulties because it claims its rights without realizing that it is cutting off its own head by not surrendering.

— Teresa of Ávila

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Source: The Way of Perfection, as translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez, O. C. D., in The Collected Works of Saint Teresa of Avila (1980), pp. 142-143
Source quality: Precise citation Points to a specific work with a page, chapter, date or similar locator, so you can look it up.

More by Teresa of Ávila

Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.

Maxims for Her Nuns (1963)

He who cares nothing for the good things of the world has dominion over them all.

Never compare one person with another: comparisons are odious.

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Never exaggerate, but express your feelings with moderation.

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Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.

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It is love alone that gives value to all things.

Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.

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Just as we cannot stop the movement of the heavens, revolving as they do with such speed, so we cannot restrain our thought.

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Topics

Happiness

More quotes by Teresa of Ávila

Most of these trials and times of unrest come from the fact that we do not understand ourselves.

Interior Castle (1577)

To have courage for whatever comes in life — everything lies in that.

The Little Lamp (1981)

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.

Maxims for Her Nuns (1963)

It seems as if Thou didst subject those who love Thee to a severe trial: but it is in order that they may learn, in the depths of that trial, the depths of Thy love.

The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus (1565)

Reflect upon the providence and wisdom of God in all created things and praise Him in them all.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Teresa of Ávila (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.