The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.

Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow’r,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave
Awaits alike the inevitable hour:
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

But he who seeks the flowers of truth
Must quit the garden for the field

The path of a good woman is indeed strewn with flowers; but they rise behind her steps, not before them.

I once saw many flowers blooming
Upon my way, in indolence
I scorned to pick them in my going
And passed in proud indifference.

Now, when my grave is dug, they taunt me;
Now, when I'm sick to death in pain,
In mocking torment still they haunt me,
Those fragrant blooms of my disdain.

Do not think that my spiritual life is strewn with roses- that is the flower which I hardly ever find on my way. Quite the contrary...I need much grace, much of Christ's strength to persevere in trust...

is the heavenly glory of so little worth with him, that he counteth it not worth running the risk of a few difficulties to obtain it?

Les hommes de chez toi, dit le petit prince, cultivent cinq mille roses dans un même jardin… et ils n’y trouvent pas ce qu’ils cherchent...

Thus it is said:
The path into light seems dark,
the path forward seems to go back,
the direct path seems long,
true power seems weak...
the greatest love seems indifferent,
the greatest wisdom seems childish.

Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.

Los echa el cielo, porque menos bello no sea, y el infierno los rechaza, pues podrían dar gloria a los caídos.» 42 Y

Thus it is said:
The path into the light seems dark,
the path forward seems to go back,
the direct path seems long,
true power seems weak,
true purity seems tarnished,
true steadfastness seems changeable,
true clarity seems obscure,
the greatest are seems unsophisticated,
the greatest love seems indifferent,
the greatest wisdom seems childish.

The Tao is nowhere to be found.
Yet it nourishes and completes all things.