There is no affliction, trial, or labor difficult to endure, when we consider the torments and sufferings which Our Lord Jesus Christ endured for us.
Teresa Of AvilaRead
We know only that we are living in these bodies and have a vague idea, because we have heard it, and because our faith tells us so, that we possess souls. As to what good qualities there may be in our souls, or who dwells within them, or how precious they are, those are things which seldom consider and so we trouble little about carefully preserving the soul's beauty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the human condition, emphasizing the relationship between our physical existence and the often neglected nature of the soul.
Teresa of Avila's quote delves into the tension between our physical lives and the spiritual dimension of our existence. While we embody our lives in tangible bodies, there exists an unseen essence—the soul—that we seldom reflect upon. This lack of consideration leads to a neglect of nurturing and valuing the inherent beauty and qualities of our souls. Ultimately, it invites us to ponder the significance of spiritual awareness and the cultivation of our inner selves.
Themes
SoulBeautySpiritualitySelf-ReflectionHuman Condition
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation retreat, this quote can be used to encourage participants to reflect on their inner selves.
More from Teresa Of Avila
All quotes →How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer.
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What friends or kindred can be so close and intimate as the powers of our soul, which, whether we will or no, must ever bear us company?
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To converse with You, O King of glory, no third person is needed, You are always ready in the Sacrament of the Altar to give audience to all. All who desire You always find You there, and converse with You face to face
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If we do not use great care to mortify our will, there are many things which can deprives us of the holy freedom of spirit that we are seeking in order to fly more freely to our Creator, without always being bogged down with the clay of this earth. Moreover, there can never be solid virtue in a soul that is attached to its own will.
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I say the same of humility and of all the virtues; the wiles of the devil are terrible, he will run a thousand times round hell if by so doing he can make us believe that we have a single virtue which we have not. And he is right, for such ideas are very harmful, and such imaginary virtues, when they come from this source, are never unaccompanied by vainglory; just as those which God gives are free both from this and from pride.
Teresa Of AvilaRead
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