As regards our perfection, which consists in the union of our soul with the Divine Goodness, it is only a question of knowing little and doing much.
185.
We must make up our minds to two things: one is, that we shall find bad weeds growing in our garden, and the other, that we will have the courage to uproot them, for our self-love will live as long as we do, and from it arises all this noxious growth.
186.
We must endeavour to double, not our desires and our exercises, but the perfection with which we fulfil them, seeking by this means to gain more by one action than we would by a hundred others done according to our inclination and affection.
187.
One act performed in dryness of spirit is worth more than several done in great sensible fervour.
188.
I say, then, that we must die in order that God may live in us, for it is impossible to acquire union with God by any other means than mortification. These words, “We must die,” are hard, but they are followed by a great sweetness, and this sweetness is union with God.