You, Eternal Trinity, are my Creator, and I am the work of Your hands, and I know through the new creation which You have given me in the blood of Your Son, that You are enamored of the beauty of Your workmanship.
Catherine Of SienaRead
The soul, who is lifted by a very great and yearning desire for the honor of God and the salvation of souls, begins by exercising herself, for a certain space of time, in the ordinary virtues, remaining in the cell of self-knowledge, in order to know better the goodness of God towards her.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and virtue in the pursuit of divine honor and salvation.
Catherine Of Siena highlights that a soul driven by a deep desire for the honor of God and the salvation of souls must first engage in understanding herself through the practice of ordinary virtues. This process of self-awareness is essential for appreciating the goodness of God, thereby guiding the soul toward a higher spiritual existence and fulfillment.
Themes
SoulVirtueSelf-KnowledgeGoodnessGodSalvation
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon, a speaker might use this quote to encourage the congregation to reflect on their virtues.
More from Catherine Of Siena
All quotes →Build a cell inside your mind, from which you can never flee.
Catherine Of SienaRead
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