. . . It is God's plan that those who are to help others spiritually fall into the temptations of mind and body by which others can be tormented. . . . Scorn both these evil suggestions and the wickedness of their author, who is the devil. Vincent de Paul More Quotes by Vincent de Paul More Quotes From Vincent de Paul Man's condition is never the same; he is humbled, then exalted; sometimes at peace, sometimes persecuted; enlightened today and plunged into darkness tomorrow. What is to be done? As I said, let us be prepared for whatever may happen. Vincent de Paul wisdom darkness men It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize. Vincent de Paul wisdom perfect men Practice humility and patience. Vincent de Paul humility-and-patience humility practice I beg Our Lord, Monsieur, that we may be able to die to ourselves in order to rise with Him, that he may be the joy of your heart, the end and soul of your actions, and your glory in heaven. This will come to pass if, from now on, we humble ourselves as He humbled Himself, if we renounce our own satisfaction to follow Him by carrying our little crosses, and if we give our lives willingly, as He gave His, for our neighbor whom He loves so much and whom He wants us to love as ourselves. Vincent de Paul humble faith heart Far from rejecting such a good man as you, He never even abandons a wicked man who hopes for His mercy. Vincent de Paul good-man faith men I hope that this man can be won over by your bearing charitably with him, advising him prudently, and praying for him. This is what I do for your family in general and for you in particular. Vincent de Paul charity praying men What a reason the Company has for observing its Rules faithfully: to do what the Son of God came into the world to do! That there should be a Company, and that it should be the Company of the Mission, composed of poor men, and that it should be entirely dedicated to that purpose, going here and there through hamlets and villages, leaving the towns behind-something that's never been done-and going to announce the Gospel only to persons who are poor; yet, those are our Rules! Vincent de Paul leaving men son God uproots the vine that He Himself has not planted. Vincent de Paul vines faith People are made in such a way that even the holiest ones are liable to offend one another. Vincent de Paul wisdom people way So, our vocation is to go, not just to one parish, not just to one diocese, but all over the world; and do what? To set people's hearts on fire, to do what the Son of God did. He came to set the world on fire in order to inflame it with His love. Vincent de Paul fire heart son Nature makes trees put down deep roots before having them bear fruit, and even this is done gradually. Vincent de Paul wisdom roots tree We must be firm but not rough in our guidance and avoid an insipid kind of meekness, which is ineffective. Vincent de Paul meekness kind guidance If we want to find the manna hidden in our vocation, let us restrict and confine all our desires within it. Vincent de Paul faith want desire Naturally, everyone loves his freedom, but we must beware of this as of a broad road that leads to perdition. Vincent de Paul broads one-love wisdom It is not light they need but strength, and strength permeates through the external balm of words and good example. Vincent de Paul light example wisdom [M]ost people offend God by passing judgment on the things others do, especially important people, not knowing the reasons why they are doing what they do; for when one does not know the primary cause of some matter, what conclusions can he draw from it? Vincent de Paul knowing wisdom people Scandal often does as much harm to the listeners as to those who devise it, even if it were to do no other harm than disturb the mind, as it does, and give rise to temptations to speak or write about it to others. Vincent de Paul wisdom writing giving I am determined, even if they throw mud in my face, never to show any resentment, nor break with them, nor deviate from the esteem and honor I owe them in the sight of God. If they forget themselves and say or do something offensive against your little bark, even if it is done purposely to make it sink, bear with it for the love of God, who will save you from shipwreck and calm the storm. Do not complain or even say a single work about it. In spite of everything, continue to compliment them when you meet, as if nothing were amiss. Vincent de Paul wisdom honor sight [W]ork at ridding yourself of the esteem you have had up to now for the glitter and sparkle of virtue and the vain applause of the world, which Our Lord so assiduously avoided and so often recommends us to shun, and that you labor in earnest to acquire true and solid virtues. Vincent de Paul sparkle glitter world Do not be afraid of undertaking too much of what you can do without coming and going; but fear only the thought of doing more than you are doing and more than God is giving you the means to do. Vincent de Paul wisdom giving mean
