“DISCOURAGEMENT … is no part of penance. It atones for nothing, satisfies for nothing, merits nothing, impetrates nothing. It does not make us more careful next time. On the contrary by dejecting us it makes us at once more open to temptation and less masculine in resisting it. But on the contrary there is much good in not being cast down. We shall be less teased with the imperfection in ourselves, and more occupied with the infidelity to God. To fall and not be out of spirits with it is not only to keep the courage we had, but to gain more. It is the humblest course, and on that account the must acceptable to God. It is the most reasonable, and therefore has the greater blessing.”

— Frederick Faber, Growth in Holiness, or The Progress of the Spiritual Life

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