When the lily springs up from the earth it produces a number of long
leaves, but as it grows higher the leaves near the flower are fewer
and much smaller. These leaves represent our words. The more a soul
progresses in the way of God and of perfection the fewer are her
words.--_Pere St. Jure._
As the bees go all round their hive gathering honey here and there,
and when they have collected it take pleasure in working it up, on
account of its sweetness, so we meditate that we may acquire the love
of God; and then we contemplate Him, and are attracted by His goodness
through the sweetness which His love causes us to experience. Hence
the soul is never satiated with considering and looking upon the
Divine Beauty.--_St. Francis of Sales._
The occupations that are necessary for each one in his state of life
are no hindrance to piety, but increase it and adorn the work of
devotion. The nightingale loves its own melody when it is silent as
much as when it sings; the devout heart also cherishes Divine love no
less when it is distracted by the external duties of life than when it
prays. Its action and its contemplation, its occupation, as well as
its repose, equally chant the canticle of love.--_The same._