Wisdom of Saints Vianney and De Sales

"It is only the first step that is hard in the way of abnegation [self-denial]. When we are once fairly entered upon it, all goes smoothly. And, when we have this virtue, we have every other."

--Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, sermon on the interior life.

"To make good progress, we must devote ourselves to getting over that portion of the path which lies closest before us, and not amuse ourselves with the desire to attain the last step before we have accomplished the first."

--Saint Francis de Sales.