The Poverty of Spirit to be practised amidst riches

  Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 14

Happy are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God (Mt. 5:3).  Accursed then are the rich in spirit for theirs is the misery of hell.  He is rich in spirit who has riches in his spirit or his spirit in riches.  He is poor in spirit who has neither riches in his spirit nor his spirit in riches.

(Read further in Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 14)

How to be utterly disinterested in our love for God

  Treatise on the Love of God, Book 9, Chapter 9

One of the finest musicians this world has known, a marvellous lute player, in a short time went stone deaf.  He still continued to sing, however, and to finger his lute with wondrous delicacy, for deafness did not deprive him of his long-accustomed skill.  But, because he could not hear, neither song nor lute could please him.  For this reason he sang and played only to satisfy a prince with whom he had been brought up as a child.

(Read further in Treatise on the Love of God, Book 9, Chapter 9)

Ask for nothing, refuse nothing

  Spiritual Conferences, 21

We must neither ask anything nor refuse anything, but leave ourselves absolutely in the arms of divine Providence, without busying ourselves with any desires, except to will what God wills of us. St. Paul practised this self-abandon­ment most excellently at the very moment of his conversion, for when Our Lord had smitten him with blindness, he cried out instantly: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" 

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Conference 21)

Ask for nothing, refuse nothing

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 2, Conference 6

I have a very great desire to engrave on your heart and in your spirit, a maxim of incomparable utility, and it is this, Ask for nothing, refuse nothing: Accept what one offers you and do not ask for what one does not like to give you.  In this practice, you will experience a great sense of peace (Mt. 11;29).  Yes, my dear Sisters, hold your hearts in this holy indifference to receive all that is given to you and never to desire what would not be given to you. 

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Translated by Fr. Ivo Carneiro MSFS)

We must attain holy indifference

  Letter to Madame de Herse

(Letters to Persons in the World, We must attain holy indifference)

God, our Saviour, knows well that among the affections He has placed in my soul, that of cherishing you extremely and honouring you most perfectly, is one of the strongest, and entirely invariable, exempt from change and from forgetfulness.

(Read further in Letters to Madame de Herse, Letters to Persons in the World)

  Letter to Madame de Flechere

(Letters of Spiritual Direction)

I have no use for people who have no likes or dislikes, and who, no matter what happens, remain unmoved; they are this way either from a lack of energy and of heart, or through an unconcern for the difference between good and evil.

(Read further in Letters to Madame de Flechere, Letters of Spiritual Direction)

A Gift from God

  Letters to a Wife and Mother

(Letters to a Wife and Mother)

I don’t like people who care for nothing and remain unmoved by anything that happens.  They do so only form a lack of energy or character, or because of contempt for good as well as evil.  But those people who remain indifferent because they have given themselves over entirely to the will of God should thank him for this, for it is a great gift.

(Read further in Letters to a Wife and Mother)

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