A good discourse is that from which nothing
can be retrenched without cutting into the quick.
-
Saint Francis de Sales
A quarrel between friends, when made up,
adds a new tie to friendship.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Be who you are and be that well.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Do not be troubled by St. Bernard's saying
that "Hell is full of good intentions
and wills."
-Saint Francis de Sales
Do not lose courage in considering your own
imperfections.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Do not wish to be anything but what you are,
and try to be that perfectly.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Friendships begun in this world will be taken
up again, never to be broken off.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Have patience with all things, But, first
of all with yourself.
-Saint Francis de Sales
If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring
it back to the point quite gently and replace
it tenderly in its Master's presence. And
even if you did nothing during the whole of
your hour but bring your heart back and place
it again in Our Lord's presence, though it
went away every time you brought it back,
your hour would be very well employed.
-Saint Francis de Sales
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.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Make friends with the angels, who though
invisible are always with you. Often invoke
them, constantly praise them, and make good
use of their help and assistance in all your
temporal and spiritual affairs.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly
and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner
peace for anything whatsoever, even if your
whole world seems upset.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing
so gentle as real strength.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.
-Saint Francis de Sales
There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel
of divine love - every man works his oar voluntarily!
-Saint Francis de Sales
There was never an angry man that thought
his anger unjust.
-Saint Francis de Sales
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.
-Saint Francis de Sales
Those who love to be feared fear to be loved.
-Saint Francis de Sales
True progress quietly and persistently moves
along without notice.
-Saint Francis de Sales
We must never undervalue any person. The
workman loves not that his work should be
despised in his presence. Now God is present
everywhere, and every person is His work.
-Saint Francis de Sales
When you encounter difficulties and contradictions,
do not try to break them, but bend them with
gentleness and time.
-Saint Francis de Sales
While I am busy with little things, I am
not required to do greater things.
-Saint Francis de Sales
