Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Nothing can be compared to the great beauty and capabilities of a soul; however keen our intellects may be, they are as unable to comprehend them as to comprehend God, for, as He has told us, He created us in His own image and likeness.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Our souls may lose their peace and even disturb other people's, if we are always criticizing trivial actions - which often are not real defects at all, but we construe them wrongly through our ignorance of their motives.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Prayer is an act of love; words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

The custom of speaking to God Almighty as freely as with a slave - caring nothing whether the words are suitable or not, but simply saying the first thing that comes to mind from being learned by rote by frequent repetition - cannot be called prayer: God grant that no Christian may address Him in this manner.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

Those who give themselves to prayer should in a special manner have always a devotion to St. Joseph; for I know not how any man can think of the Queen of the angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Infant Jesus, without giving thanks to St. Joseph for the services he rendered them then.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

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

— Saint Teresa of Avila

To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.

— Saint Teresa of Avila

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.

— Saint Teresa of Avila