Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire… Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14).[…]
Quotes
Flee idleness… for no one is more exposed to such temptations than he who has nothing to do. (Saint Robert Bellarmine, +1621)
We no longer die to be condemned, we die to be raised up and await the resurrection of all, which God will bring about at a time of his choosing, the creator of all things and the giver of all gifts. (Saint Athanasius)
Nothing is far from God (Saint Monica, +387)
In the contrast between our religious chaos and the religious certitude still strong throughout the Mohammedan world. . .lies our peril. (Hilaire Belloc)
Finally, be strong lest prosperity lift you up too much or adversity cast you down. Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honourable so that you may[…]
Marriage is a duel to the death which no man of honour should decline (G.K. Chesterton)
Hell is full of the talented, but Heaven of the energetic. (Saint Jane Francis de Chantal)
And when night comes, and you look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone, and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed: just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and leave it with Him.[…]
I beg you to make these things known to the rest of our colleagues, so that through their encouragement the whole brotherhood may be strengthened and made ready for the spiritual conflict – so that each one of us may think less of death and more of immortality – so that everyone, dedicated to the[…]