Saint Francis de Sales Quotes
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When charity requires it we must freely and mildly communicate to our neighbor not only what is his instruction, but also what is profitable for his consolation.
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Every moment comes to us pregnant with a command from God, only to pass on and plunge into eternity, there to remain forever what we have made of it.
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A good discourse is that from which nothing can be retrenched without cutting into the quick.
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Frequent not the company of immodest persons, especially if they be also impudent, as is generally the case; ...these corrupted souls and infected hearts scarcely speak to any, either of the same or a different sex, without causing them to fall in some degree from purity; they have poison in their eyes and in their breath, like basilisks. On the contrary, keep company with the chaste and virtuous; often meditate upon and read holy things; for the word of God is chaste, and makes those also chaste that delight in it.
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Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.
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The merit of the cross does not consist in its heaviness, but in the manner in which we carry it. I would even say that it is sometimes more virtuous to carry a cross of straw than a heavy cross because we have to be more attentive for fear of losing it.
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If we say a little it is easy to add, but having said too much it is hard to withdraw and never can it be done so quickly as to hinder the harm of our success.
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We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.
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You can attract more bees with a spoonful of sugar than a cupful of vinegar.
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Nothing is more like a wise man than a fool who holds his tongue.
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Humor is the foundation of reconciliation.
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There are many who say to the Lord, "I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve," but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory.
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The enemy often tries to make us attempt and start many projects so that we will be overwhelmed with too many tasks, and therefore achieve nothing and leave everything unfinished. Sometimes he even suggests the wish to undertake some excellent work that he foresees we will never accomplish. This is to distract us from the prosecution of some less excellent work that we would have easily completed. He does not care how many plans and beginnings we make, provided nothing is finished.
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While I am busy with little things, I am not required to do greater things.
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Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage
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How are you to meet the swarm of foolish attachments, triflings, and undesirable inclinations which beset you? By turning sharply away, and thoroughly renouncing such vanities, flying to the Saviour's Cross, and clasping His Crown of thorns to your heart, so that these little foxes may not spoil your vines. Beware of entering into any manner of treaty with the Enemy; do not delude yourself by listening to him while intending to reject him.
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It is the mark of a mean, vulgar and ignoble spirit to dwell on the thought of food before meal times or worse to dwell on it afterwards, to discuss it and wallow in the remembered pleasures of every mouthful. Those whose minds dwell before dinner on the spit, and after on the dishes, are fit only to be scullions.
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Have patience with all things - but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.
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Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.
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For every great temptation there will be many small ones. Wolves and bears are more dangerous than flies, but we are bothered most by flies.
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The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other; it is a perpetual exercise in mortification.
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Make sickness itself a prayer.
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Is it not a great temptation to be so valiant in imagination and so cowardly in execution?
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Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers.
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Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily.
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Consider all the past as nothing, and say, like David: Now I begin to love my God.
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He prays well who is so absorbed with God that he does not know he is praying.
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Those who love to be feared fear to be loved, and they themselves are more afraid than anyone, for whereas other men fear only them, they fear everyone.
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Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them.
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It is better to remain silent than to speak the truth ill-humoredly, and spoil an excellent dish by covering it with bad sauce.
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Saint Francis de Sales
- Born: August 16, 1567
- Died: December 28, 1622
- Occupation: Bishop of Geneva
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