179 Quotes by Therese of Lisieux

Why should we defend ourselves when we are misunderstood and misjudged? Let us leave that aside. Let us not say anything. It is so sweet to let others judge us in any way they like. O blessed silence, which gives so much peace to the soul!

My soul experienced a peace so sweet, so deep, it would be impossible to express it.

At the time of Holy Communion I sometimes picture my soul under the figure of a little child of three or four years, who at play has got its hair tossed and its clothes soiled. These misfortunes have befallen me in battling with souls. But very soon the Blessed Virgin hastens to my aid: quickly, she takes off my dirty little pinafore, smoothes my hair and adorns it with a pretty ribbon or simply with a little flower... and this suffices to render me pleasing and enables me to sit at the Banquet of Angels without blushing.

I’m suffering very much, but am I suffering very well? That’s the point!

The world’s thy ship and not thy home.

Whose hands are God’s hands, but our hands?

Trust and trust alone should lead us to love.

I also understood that God’s love shows itself just as well in the simplest soul which puts up no resistance to His grace as it does in the loftiest soul.

Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.