One chief hindrance to growth in grace, and in love of God, is self-love. Thereby Satan gets and keeps an hold over us. Human respect, a regard to what others say and think of us - that fatal snare to souls - springs from self-love. All God's dealings with those whom Ho leads on in a true spiritual life tend to root out of our hearts this evil, poisonous weed of self-love. In proportion as it is weakened, and our wills bowed to God's will, hindrances to our progress in godliness disappear, many troubles and conflicts which harass our spirits vanish, and our souls have abiding peace and tranquility. But we only perceive this dangerous self-love by the light of God's Holy Spirit, opening out to us the secrets of our own hearts. We scarcely realize how much this evil rules in us, till God, by humbling trials, assaults it and seeks to tear it away. If we then co-operate with His teaching, a true love of Him, of His will and laws, His word and people, and ordinances, will fill the vacancy; we shall, in some good measure, realize the blessing of the pure in heart and see God. The promise of Jesus will be made good to us: My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth do I give unto you.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp