Thou thinkest as man. In many things thou judgest as human affection persuadeth thee.

The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in spirit, and still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when he withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and easily angered too if any oppose his will.

But if thou knowest that it shall be hurtful unto me, and not profitable for the health of my soul, take the desire away from me'! For not every desire is from the Holy Ghost, although it appear to a man right and good.

Ice cream, I can't pass a gelateria without going in. Italy is a nightmare place for me to stay in shape.

We'll never abandon ourselves to the Spirit as long as we think we can change without Him.

Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human natur.

The condition of your soul will determine the condition of your life. Because it determines how you think, what you feel, and what you choose to do.

Know well that the enemy laboureth in all wise to stay thy desire in good and to make thee void of all good exercise.

A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire.

Attachment to spiritual things is.. just as much an attachment as inordinate love of anything else.

We pray, 'lead us not into temptation'. Do we then lead ourselves into temptation?

Lusts within are worse than lions without.