St. Francis de Sales says: “Praise be to Jesus.”

“No one, no matter how much he prays or fasts, can increase in holiness without self-knowledge. Self-knowledge is the rock that perfection is based upon. The soul must ask for the grace to realize his flaws and shortcomings in order to overcome them.”

“Self-knowledge challenges pride. It is pride that blinds the soul to his own imperfections. It is pride which prevents the soul from graciously accepting criticism – criticism which most often is a Spiritual Work of Mercy.”

“No one can correct something that he does not realize stands to be corrected. You cannot fix anything that is broken unless you first realize it is broken. The lack of self-knowledge is a stumbling block to a deeper journey through the Chambers of the United Hearts. Self-knowledge is basic to personal holiness. Self-knowledge is a grace.”

Read Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, Who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).