Had I been rich I never could have borne to see a poor person hungry without giving him to eat. It is the same in my spiritual life: knowing there are souls on the point of falling into Hell, I give them my treasures according as I earn anything, and I have never yet found a moment to say: "Now I am going to work for myself."
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
I feel that when I am charitable it is
Jesus alone who acts in me; the more
I am united to Him the more do I love
all my Sisters. If, when I desire to
increase this love in my heart, the demon
tries to set before my eyes the faults of
one or other of the Sisters, I hasten to call
to mind her virtues, her good desires;
I say to myself that if I have seen her
fall once, she may well have gained
many victories which she conceals through
humility; and that even what appears
to me a fault may in truth be an act of
virtue by reason of the intention.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IX
