Walter Hilton Quotes

It is easier to renounce worldly possessions than it is to renounce the love of them

When you attack the roots of sin, fix your thought more on the God you desire than on the sin you abhor.

I desire the love of God not because I am worthy, but because I am unworthy.

Any man or woman who neglects to maintain inward vigilance, and only makes an outward show of holiness in dress, speech, and behavior, is a wretched creature. For they watch the doings of other people and criticize their faults, imagining themselves to be something when in reality they are nothing. In this way they deceive themselves. Be careful to avoid this, and devote yourself inwardly to His likeness by humility, charity, and other spiritual virtues. In this way you will be truly converted to God.

Prayer is naught but a rising desire of the heart into God by withdrawing of the heart from all earthly thoughts.

Some people understand the charity of our Lord and are saved by it; others, relying on this mercy and kindness, continue in their sins, thinking that it may be theirs whenever they wish. But this is not so, for then they are too late and are taken in their sins before they expect it, and so damn themselves.

Regard yourself all the more as a sinner because you cannot feel yourself to be what you are.

There are many who are hypocrites although they think they are not, and there are many who are afraid of being hypocrites although they certainly are not. Which is the one and which is the other God knows, and none but He.

What is humility but truthfulness? There is no real difference.

One who loves God retains this humility at all times, not with weariness and struggle, but with pleasure and gladness.

We therefore need to know the gifts given us by God, so that we may use them, for by these we shall be saved.