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Inexpressible Creator, who from the treasures of thy wisdom hast appointed three hierarchies of angels, and set them in wondrous order over the highest heavens, arranging all the elements of the world in admirable harmony, thou who art called the true fount of light and wisdom, the First Principle, deign to shed upon the darkness of my understanding a ray of thy own light, dispelling the twofold darkness of sin and ignorance in which I was born. Thou who canst make babes eloquent, school my tongue, and pour into my lips the grace of thy benediction. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, insight in expounding, and fluent grace of speech. Direct my beginning, guide my continuance, and set thy seal upon the completion: thou who art true God and Man, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.

Thy pleasure, merciful God! Grant that I may ardently desire it, carefully seek to learn it, truly recognize it, and perfectly fulfil it, to the praise and glory of thy name.

Lord my God, bestow upon me an understanding that knows thee, diligence in seeking thee, wisdom in finding thee, a way of life that is pleasing to thee, perseverance that waits trustfully for thee, and confidence that I shall embrace thee at the last.

― taken from The Manual of Catholic Prayer: For All Days and Seasons and Every Circumstance of Christian Life

A person who does not pray habitually, no matter how believing or pious he may be, will not achieve full spiritual growth. Neither will he acquire peace of soul because he will always experience excessive scruples and never view things beyond their human or worldly significance. Thus, one will always suffer from vanity, selfishness, self-centeredness, ambition, meanness of heart, vileness of judgment, and a sickly willfulness and attachment to one’s opinions. A person who does not pray may acquire human wisdom and prudence, but not true spiritual freedom or that deep and radical purification of the heart. One will not be able to grasp the depths of divine mercy or know how to make it known to others. His judgment will always end up shortsighted, mistaken, and contemptible. One will never be able to tread God’s ways, which are far different from what many—even those who have committed themselves to a life in the spirit—conceive them to be.

― Jacques Philippe, Time For God

SONG XX.  
Against Idleness and Mischief.

I.  
HOW doth the little busy Bee  
  Improve each shining Hour,  
And gather Honey all the day  
  From every opening Flower!

II.  
How skilfully she builds her Cell!  
  How neat she spreads the Wax!  
And labours hard to store it well  
  With the sweet Food she makes.

III.  
In works of Labour or of Skill,  
  I would be busy too;  
For Satan finds some Mischief still  
  For idle Hands to do.

IV.  
In Books, or Work, or healthful Play,  
  Let my first years be past,  
That I may give for every Day  
  Some good Account at last.

― Isaac Watts
Divine Songs Attempted in Easy Language for the Use of Children (1715)