St. Philip Neri said.....

[Denise]

"Outward mortifications are a great help towards the acquisition of interior mortification and the other virtues."

[Denise]

"He who cannot put up with the loss of his honor, can never make any advance in spiritual things."

[Denise]

"It is generally better to give the body rather too much food than rather too little; for the too much can be easily subtracted, but when a man has injured his constitution by the too little, it is not so easy to get right again."

[Denise]

"The devil has a crafty custom of sometimes urging spiritual persons to penances and mortifications, in order that by going indiscreet lengths in this way, they may so weaken themselves as to be unable to attend to good works of greater importance; or be so intimidated by the sickliness they have brought upon themselves as to abandon their customary devotions, and at last turn their backs on the service of God."

[Denise]

"Those who pay a moderate attention to the mortification of their bodies and direct their main intention to mortify the will and understanding, even in matters of the slightest moment, are more to be esteemed than they who give themselves up exclusively to corporal penances and macerations."

[Denise]

"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."

[Denise]

"Even though a man may be unable to attain such a height of sanctity, he ought to desire it, so as to do at least in desire what he cannot carry out in effect."

[Denise]

"We ought to make no account of abstinences and fasts, when there is self-will in the matter."