QUOTATION: Humility

God takes an especial delight in the humility of those who believe that they have not yet begun to do good.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Crosses

That we are generally the carpenters of our own crosses is a truth sadly easier to recognize in others than in ourselves.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Learning to Pray

A most excellent means of learning how to pray? Acknowledge that we are unworthy to pray, and so place our efforts entirely in the hands of the Lord.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Self-Love

The skin of self-love is fastened strongly on our hearts, and it hurts to flay it off. And the more we get down to the quick of it, to what is real in our hearts, the sharper and more difficult it is to bear.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Mortification

We must not become so attached to the means [of the pursuit of holiness] as to forget the end. We mortify the flesh but we must also mortify the brain, which is the chief means by which we become sinners or saints.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Obedience

Force yourself to be obedient, even in the smallest things that appear so inconsequential; this will make it easier to be obedient in the larger things.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Scruples

Scruples are an infirmity that will make a truce with us, but rarely peace; humility alone defeats them.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Self-Rule

There is nothing more dangerous to the spiritual life than to wish to rule ourselves after our own way of thinking.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: How to Keep from Sin

One of the most efficient ways of keeping ourselves sinless is to have compassion for those who fall due to frailty, and never to boast of our rightness, but with real humility acknowledge that if we are in a state of grace, it is by the mercy of God.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: How to Protect Chastity

Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing danger.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Confession

When we go to confession, we should accuse ourselves of our worst sins first, and of those things which we are most ashamed of, because by this means we put the devil to greater confusion, and reap more fruit from our confession.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Temptations

Do not grieve over the temptations you suffer. When the Lord intends to bestow a particular virtue on us, He often permits us first to be tempted by the opposite vice. Therefore, look upon every temptation as an invitation to grow in a particular virtue and a promise by God that you will be successful, if only you stand fast.

-- St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Aim High

We ought to desire to do great things for the service of God, and not content ourselves with a moderate goodness, but wish, if it were possible, to surpass in sanctity and love even St. Peter and St. Paul.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Sadness

Excessive sadness seldom springs from any other source than pride.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Crosses

Men are generally the carpenters of their own crosses.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Learning Biblical Wisdom

The wisdom of the Scriptures is learned rather by prayer than by study.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Crosses

He who runs away from one cross, will meet a bigger one on his road.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Singularity

Avoid every kind of singularity, for it is generally the hot-bed of pride, especially spiritual pride.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Poverty and Tribulations

Poverty and tribulations are given us by God as trials of our fidelity and virtue, as well as to enrich us with more real and lasting riches in heaven.

--St. Philip Neri

QUOTATION: Silence

Never make a noise of any sort in church, except for the greatest necessity.

--St. Philip Neri