Ignatius of Loyola quotes

Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish Basque priest and theologian, best known as the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). His spiritual teachings and exercises profoundly shaped Catholic spirituality and education. He became a prominent leader in the Counter-Reformation and inspired generations of missionaries and educators. Here are 40 of his quotes:

The enemy is like a woman, weak in face of opposition, but correspondingly strong when not opposed. In a quarrel with a man, it is natural for a woman to lose heart and run away when he faces up to her; on the other hand, if the man begins to be afraid and to give ground, her rage, vindictiveness and fury overflow and know no limit. (Ignatius of Loyola)
Let me look at the foulness and ugliness of my body. Let me see myself as an ulcerous sore running with every horrible and disgusting poison. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
The picture. A great plain, comprising the entire Jerusalem district, where is the supreme Commander-in-Chief of the forces of good, Christ our Lord: another plain near Babylon, where Lucifer is, at the head of the enemy. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Imagine that leader of all the enemy, in that great plain of Babylon, sitting on a sort of throne of smoking flame, a horrible and terrifying sight. Watch him calling together countless devils, to despatch them into different cities till the whole world is covered, forgetting no province or locality, no class or single individual. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Up to his twenty-sixth year the heart of Ignatius was enthralled by the vanities of the world. His special delight was in the military life, and he seemed led by a strong and empty desire of gaining for himself a great name. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Considering that the blessed life we so long for consists in an intimate and true love of God Our Creator and Lord, which binds and obliges us all to a sincere love. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
So with that will prompt and prepared to serve all those whom I perceive to be servants of my Lord, I will speak of three things with simplicity and love as if I were speaking to my own soul. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
I have studied at Barcelona, at Salamanca, at Alcala, at Paris; what have I learned? The language of doubt; but in me there was no harbor for doubt. Jesus came, and my trust in God has grown by the doubts of men. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
We should always be prepared so as never to err to believe that what I see as white is black, if the hierarchic Church defines it thus. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
The safest and most suitable form of penance seems to be that which causes pain in the flesh but does not penetrate to the bones, that is, which causes suffering but not sickness. So the best way seems to be to scourge oneself with thin cords which hurt superficially, rather than to use some other means which might produce serious internal injury. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me. (Ignatius of Loyola)
The principal end both of my father and of myself in the conquest of India... has been the propagation of the holy Catholic faith. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Above all, remember that God looks for solid virtues in us, such as patience, humility, obedience, abnegation of your own will - that is, the good will to serve Him and our neighbor in Him. His providence allows us other devotions only insofar as He sees that they are useful to us. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
The more completely we focus our attention on our Creator and Lord, the less chance there is of our being distracted by creatures. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Occupy yourself in beholding and bewailing your own imperfections rather than contemplating the imperfections of others. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
If God has given you the world's goods in abundance, it is to help you gain those of Heaven and to be a good example of sound teaching to your sons, servants, and relatives. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
I have no doubt concerning that Supreme Goodness, who is so eager to share His blessings, or of that everlasting love which makes Him more eager to bestow perfection on us than we are to receive it. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Be generous to the poor orphans and those in need. The man to whom our Lord has been liberal ought not to be stingy. We shall one day find in Heaven as much rest and joy as we ourselves have dispensed in this life. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
We should always be disposed to believe that that which appears white is really black, if the hierarchy of the Church so decides. (Ignatius of Loyola)
For those who love, nothing is too difficult, especially when it is done for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
Realize that illness and other temporal setbacks often come to us from the hand of God our Lord, and are sent to help us know ourselves better, to free ourselves of the love of created things, and to reflect on the brevity of this life and, thus, to prepare ourselves for the life which is without end. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
It is proper to ask for sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, tears and deep grief because of the great affliction Christ endures for me. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola
We should not have a petty regard for God's gifts, though we may and should despise our own imperfections. View quote
Ignatius of Loyola