QUOTATION: It is Difficult to Repent at Death

It is necessary to die hating sin and loving God beyond all things ; but how can he hate forbidden pleasures, who, until that time, has loved them, so much? and how can he love God beyond all things, who, until that time, has loved the creature more than God ?

--St. Alphonsus Liguori, Preparation for Death

QUOTATION: The Two Ways

God calls to life by labour; the devil, to death by delights.

-- Lactantius

QUOTATION: Don't Be a Killjoy

It is against reason for a man to be burdensome to others, by offering no pleasure to others, and by hindering their enjoyment. Wherefore Seneca says (De Quat. Virt., cap. De Continentia): "Let your conduct be guided by wisdom so that no one will think you rude, or despise you as a cad." Now a man who is without mirth, not only is lacking in playful speech, but is also burdensome to others, since he is deaf to the moderate mirth of others. Consequently they are vicious, and are said to be boorish or rude, as the Philosopher states (Ethic. iv, 8).

--St. Thomas Aquinas

QUOTATION: Idolatry

Those who believe more in their own pleasures than in the precepts of God, worship themselves as gods.

--St. Thomas Aquinas

QUOTATION: What Dying to the World Doesn't Mean...

But perhaps the lovers of the world may reply, "It is very difficult to die to the world, whilst we are living in it; and to despise those good things which God has created for our enjoyment." To these words I answer, that God does not wish us entirely and absolutely to neglect or despise the riches and honours of this world. Abraham was an especial favourite with God; and yet he possessed great riches. David also, and Ezechias, and Josias, were most powerful kings; and at the same time most pleasing to God: the same may be said of many Christian kings and emperors. The good things of this life, therefore its riches, honours, and pleasures are not entirely forbidden to Christians, but only an immoderate love of them, which is named by St. John, "the concupiscence of the flesh, the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life."

--St. Robert Bellarmine, The Art of Dying Well

QUOTATION: The Pleasure of Piety

Hence it is that they who serve God very often find more pleasure, even sensible pleasure, in recollection, silence, pious reading, meditation, prayer, and other devout exercises, than in any worldly amusement. In this happy state the work of subduing the flesh is rendered very easy.

--Louis de Granada, The Sinner's Guide.

QUOTATION: Pleasure Seeking

Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are good reminders that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain to perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love – which is the definition of God. In pursuing that goal we find happiness. Pleasure is not the purpose of anything; pleasure is a by-product resulting from doing something that is good. One of the best ways to get happiness and pleasure out of life is to ask ourselves, “How can I please God?” and, “Why am I not better?” It is the pleasure-seeker who is bored, for all pleasures diminish with repetition.

--Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

QUOTATION: Delight

No one can live without delight, and that is why a man deprived of spiritual joy goes over to carnal pleasure.

--St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, II-II, Q. 35, Art. 4, ad. 2.

QUOTATION: Worldly Pleasures

How sweet it has been to me to be deprived of the delights of a frivolous world! What incomparable joy have I felt after a privation once so dreaded.

-- St. Augustine

QUOTATION: The Secret to Happiness

One of the best ways to get happiness and pleasure out of life is to ask ourselves, “How can I please God?" It is the pleasure-seeker who is bored, for all pleasures diminish with repetition.

--Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

QUOTATION: Heaven is a difficult path

The way to Heaven is straight and narrow: they who wish to arrive at that place of bliss by walking in the paths of pleasure shall be disappointed; and therefore few reach it, because few are willing to use violence to themselves in resisting temptations.

--St. Alphonsus Liguori

QUOTATION: Pleasure

Enjoy yourself as much as you like – if only you keep from sin.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: You cannot have two masters

Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ.

--Saint Peter Chrysologus

QUOTATION: The Struggle for Freedom

The struggle for freedom, then, is waged not alone by the athletes of battles in wars. Rather, it is also waged in banquets, in bed, and in the tribunals by those who are anointed by the Word—who are ashamed to become captives of pleasure.

--St. Clement of Alexandria.