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Maxims of Saint TeresaFrom Minor Works of St. Teresa, 1913
1. MANS mind is like good ground which, left untitled,
grows thorns and thistles.2. Always speak well of spiritual
persons, such as religious,
priests and hermits.
3. Talk little when with many people.
4. Be modest in all your words and actions.
5. Never contend much, especially about trifles.
6. Speak with quiet cheerfulness to everyone.
7. Never ridicule anything.8. Correct others prudently, humbly
and with self-
abasement.
9. Accommodate yourself to everyones humour: be
cheerful with the happy, grave with the sad,in short, be all to
all,
that you may win all.
10. Think before you speak, recommending your words
earnestly to our Lord that you may say nothing displeasing to
Him.11. Never excuse yourself except in grave matters.
12. On no account mention anything to your own credit,
such as learning, good points or lineage, except with the hope
of
doing some good by it: then, speak humbly, remembering that
such
things are Gods gift.
13. Do not exaggerate, but state your opinion humbly.
14. Introduce religious topics into all your talk andinterviews,
which will prevent idle gossip and detraction.
15. Never affirm anything of the truth of which you are
uncertain.
16. Unless charity requires, do not obtrude your opinion
unasked.
17. Listen humbly as a learner to religious conversation,
and take care to profit by it.
18. Obtain advice and help respecting your temptations,
faults and aversions by revealing them candidly to your
superior
and confessor.
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56. On the feasts of any Saint, think of his virtues and ask
God to give them to you.
57. Be very careful about your nightly examination of
conscience.
58. Consider during your morning prayer before Holy
Communion that, miserable as you are, you are to receive God,
andat night reflect that you have received Him.
59. No superior should give a correction while angry, but
should wait until she feels calm, when her reproof may be
beneficial.
60. Strive earnestly for perfection and devotion, performing
all your actions by their aid.
61. Cultivate the fear of God, which makes the soul contriteand
humble.
62. Remember how soon men change and how little one
can trust them, and cling closely to God Who never changes
63. Treat of your soul with a spiritual and learned
confessor
and follow his advice in everything.
64. Whenever you receive Holy Communion beg some gift
from God for the sake of His great mercy in visiting your
poor
soul.
65. However numerous may be your Patron Saints, always
rank St. Joseph first, for he has great power with God.
66. When sad or troubled do not omit your accustomed
prayers or penances, which the devil is then striving to make
you
leave off. Pray and mortify yourself more than usual and you
will
find that God will soon come to your aid.
67. Do not discuss your temptations and faults with theleast
advanced in the house, which would harm you both, but
confide them to the holiest among your sisters.
68. Remember you have but one soul; you will die but
once; you have only one life, which is short, and which you
must
live on your own account; there is only one heaven, which lasts
for
ever,this will make you indifferent to many things.
69. Desire to see God; fear to lose Him; grieve to be so farfrom
Him; rejoice to be brought near Him,thus you will live in
profound peace.
