Self-love can be mortified, but never dies

  Letter to an unnamed nun, on the mask that self-love wears

(Letters to Persons in the World, Self-love can be mortified, but never dies)

Self-love can be mortified in us, but still it never dies; indeed, from time to time and on different occasions, it produces shoots in us, which show that, although cut off, it is not rooted out.  This is why we have not the consolation that we ought to have when we see others do well.  For what we do not see in ourselves is not so agreeable to us; and what we do see in ourselves is very sweet to us, because we love ourselves tenderly and amorously.

(Read further in Letter to an unnamed nun of the Visitation, Letters to Persons in the World)

We must attain holy indifference

  Letter to Madame de Herse, on struggling against self-love

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

When we happen to break the laws of indifference in indifferent things, or by the sudden sallies of self-love and our passions, let us at once, as soon as we can, prostrate our heart before God, and say, in a spirit of confidence and humility, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak” (Ps. 6:3; RSV Ps. 6:2).  Let us arise in peace and tranquillity, knot again the thread of our indifference, and then continue our work.

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

A Constant Challenge

  Letter to a Wife and Mother

To pry too closely and eagerly into our behaviour, to see whether we have acted rightly, is undoubtedly a sign of self-love.  This makes us want to know if we are successful, when true love of God tells us to humble ourselves in God’s mercy, always ask his pardon, renew our promise to be faithful, and go on trying to come closer to him.

(Read further in Letters to a Wife and Mother)

The throne of God's love

  Letter to a Wife and Mother

Self-love is the sole reason we grow impatient at seeing ourselves insignificant and contemptible.  I implore you in the name of Jesus Christ, whom we both love, to take comfort and remain unruffled by your frailty.

(Read further in Letters to a Wife and Mother)

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