Francis De Sales Quotes

There is no better means of attainment to the spiritual life Than by continually beginning again.

The Lord delights in every little step you take.

Those who love to be feared fear to be loved.

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

He who stays not in his littleness, loses his greatness.

One rarely does well what one rarely does.

Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.

Flowers often grow more beautifully on dung-hills than in gardens that look beautifully kept.

The Prayer of the sick person is his patience and his acceptance of his sickness for the love of Jesus Christ. Make sickness itself a prayer, for there is none more powerful, save martyrdom!

By giving yourself to God, You not only receive Himself in exchange, but eternal life as well.

He who can preserve gentleness amid pains, and peace amid worry multitude of affairs, is almost perfect.

Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.

Have Jesus always for your patron, His Cross for a mast on which you must spread your resolutions as a sail. Your anchor shall be a profound confidence in Him, and you shall sail prosperously.

The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not "What a lovely sermon!" but "I will do something."

You learn to love by loving.

By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God. Begin all your prayers in the presence of God.

Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.

If you would fall into any extreme, let it be on the side of gentleness. The human mind is so constructed that it resists rigor, and yields to softness.

True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.

Take care of your health, that it may serve you to serve God.

Don't get upset with your imperfections. Surrender to the Power of God's Love, which is greater than our weakness.

Humor is the foundation of reconciliation.

It is a great imperfection to complain unceasingly of little things.

There is no artifice as good and desirable as simplicity.

What son would not bring his mother back to life and would not bring her into paradise after her death if he could?

It matters little how one begins, provided that he be resolved to go on well, and to end well.

Examine from time to time what are the dominant passions of your soul, and having ascertained this, mold your life, so that in thought, word, and deed you may as far as possible counteract them.

Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself.

It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is, and how much it wins hearts.

Big fires flare up in a wind, but little ones are blown out unless they are carried in under cover.

The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other; it is a perpetual exercise in mortification.

Work hard every day at increasing your purity of heart, which consists in appraising things and weighing them in the balance of God's will.

Souls do not wish to be bullied, but gently brought back; such is the nature of man.

Trouble that is easily recognized is half-cured.

In everything, love simplicity.

Nothing appeases an enraged elephant so much as the sight of a little lamb.

If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show.

Nothing is more like a wise man than a fool who holds his tongue.

Every vocation becomes more agreeable when united with devotion.

Better make penitents by gentleness than hypocrites by severity.

God requires a faithful fulfillment of the merest trifle given us to do, rather than the most ardent aspiration to things to which we are not called.

He prays well who is so absorbed with God that he does not know he is praying.

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.

Many would be willing to have afflictions provided that they not be inconvenienced by them.

During the night we must wait for the light.

A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.

True humility scarcely ever utters words of humility.

Humility makes our lives acceptable to God, meekness makes us acceptable to men.

While I am busy with little things, I am not required to do greater things.

We are sometimes so busy being good angels that we neglect to be good men and women.