Devotion is the real spiritual sweetness which takes away
all bitterness from mortifications, and prevents consolations
from disagreeing with the soul; it cures the poor of sadness,
and the rich of presumption; it keeps the oppressed from
feeling desolate, and the prosperous from insolence; it averts
sadness from the lonely, and dissipation from social life; it
is as warmth in winter and refreshing dew in summer; it knows
how to abound and how to suffer want, how to profit alike by
honour and by contempt; it accepts gladness and sadness with an
even mind, and fills men's hearts with a wondrous sweetness.
... Francois de Sales , Introduction to the
Devout Life [1609]
photo taken near Monsale Dale, Derbyshire, UK
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