Oh, how I like those little mortifications that are seen by nobody, such as rising a quarter of an hour sooner, rising for a little while in the night to pray!
Interpretation
Small acts of self-discipline lead to greater spiritual growth.
In this quote, John Vianney reflects on the importance of small, unnoticed sacrifices that contribute to personal growth and spiritual development. He emphasizes that seemingly trivial acts, like waking up early or praying at night, can significantly enhance one's character and devotion, despite going unnoticed by others.
In practice
During a motivational speech about personal growth and discipline.
Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that.
We put pride into everything like salt. We like to see that our good works are known. If our virtues are seen, we are pleased; if our faults are perceived, we are sad. I remark that in a great many people; if one says anything to them, it disturbs them, it annoys them. The saints were not like that - they were vexed if their virtues were known, and pleased that their imperfections should be seen.
I've come to the realisation that I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing half the time...
You must have a place to which you can go in your heart, your mind, or your house, almost every day, where you do not owe anyone and where no one owes you - a place that simply allows for the blossoming of something new and promising.
The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.
It is not inspiration; it is expiration.
There is no single right answer or path forward, but there is one right way to frame the problem.
If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat.
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