Saint John of the Cross: “The path of suffering is far preferable to that of pleasure”

Saint John of the Cross:

“… the path of suffering is far preferable to that of pleasure and personal activity, and infinitely safer.

In suffering, God increases our strength, whereas action and pleasure deliver us over to our weaknesses and imperfections. To suffer is also to purify oneself, to exercise oneself in the practice of the virtues, and to grow in wisdom and prudence.”