Teresa of Avila Quotes

A collection of quotes by Teresa of Avila.

Teresa of Avila, also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus, was a prominent Spanish mystic, writer, and reformer of the Carmelite order in the 16th century. Born in Gotarrendura, Spain in 1515, she entered the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation at a young age. Despite initial struggles with her faith, Teresa experienced a transformative mystical vision in her early thirties that profoundly influenced her spiritual journey.

As she dedicated herself to a life of contemplative prayer and spiritual growth, Teresa became known for her deep devotion and mystical experiences. She believed in the power of personal communication with God and emphasized the significance of direct mental prayer, which she described as an intimate conversation with the Divine. Teresa's spiritual insights and mystical writings greatly influenced Christian spirituality and mysticism.

Recognizing the need for reform within the Carmelite order, Teresa founded the Discalced Carmelites in 1562. This reform movement sought a return to the order's original contemplative and austere ideals. Despite facing opposition and controversy, Teresa's reforms gained widespread acceptance, leading to the establishment of multiple convents across Spain.

Throughout her lifetime, Teresa authored numerous spiritual texts, including her autobiographical masterpiece, "The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila." In her writings, she explored themes of prayer, contemplation, and the soul's union with God.

Teresa of Avila was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1614 and was later declared a Doctor of the Church in recognition of her spiritual wisdom and theological contributions. Her legacy as a mystic, writer, and religious reformer continues to inspire and guide spiritual seekers to this day.

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can -- na

We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can -- namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.

Teresa of Avila

To have courage for whatever comes in life -- everything lie

To have courage for whatever comes in life -- everything lies in that.

Teresa of Avila

We bloomed in Spring. Our bodies are the leaves of God. The

We bloomed in Spring. Our bodies are the leaves of God. The apparent seasons of life and death our eyes can suffer; but our souls, dear, I will just say this forthright: they are God Himself, we will never perish until He does.

Teresa of Avila

We know only that we are living in these bodies and have a v

We know only that we are living in these bodies and have a vague idea, because we have heard it, and because our faith tells us so, that we possess souls. As to what good qualities there may be in our souls, or who dwells within them, or how precious they are, those are things which seldom consider and so we trouble little about carefully preserving the soul's beauty.

Teresa of Avila

There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over un

There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.

Teresa of Avila

Do not dismayed daughters, at the number of things which you

Do not dismayed daughters, at the number of things which you have to consider before setting out on this divine journey, which is the royal road to heaven. By taking this road we gain such precious treasures that it is no wonder if the cost seems to us a high one. The time will come when we shall realize that all we have paid has been nothing at all by comparison with the greatness of our prizes.

Teresa of Avila

It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found -- not hi

It is here, my daughters, that love is to be found -- not hidden away in corners but in the midst of occasions of sin. And believe me, although we may more often fail and commit small lapses, our gain will be incomparably the greater.

Teresa of Avila

O my God, what must a soul be like when it is in this state!

O my God, what must a soul be like when it is in this state! It longs to be all one tongue with which to praise the Lord. It utters a thousand pious follies, in a continuous endeavor to please Him who thus possesses it.

Teresa of Avila

True recollection has characteristics by which it can be eas

True recollection has characteristics by which it can be easily recognized. It produces a certain effect which I do not know how to explain, but which is well understood by those who have experienced it. . . . It is true that recollection has several degrees, and that in the beginning these great effects are not felt, because it is not yet profound enough. But support the pain which you first feel in recollecting yourself, despise the rebellion of nature, overcome the resistance of the body, which loves a liberty which is its ruin, learn self-conquest, persevere thus for a time, and you will perceive very clearly the advantages which you gain from it. As soon as you apply yourself to orison, you will at once feel your senses gather themselves together: they seem like bees which return to the hive and there shut themselves up to work at the making of honey: and this will take place without effort or care on your part. God thus rewards the violence which your soul has been doing to itself; and gives to it such a domination over the senses that a sign is enough when it desires to recollect itself, for them to obey and so gather themselves together. At the first call of the will, they come back more and more quickly. At last, after countless exercises of this kind, God disposes them to a state of utter rest and of perfect contemplation.

Teresa of Avila