The Devil doesn't fear austerity but holy obedience. Saint Francis de Sales More Quotes by Saint Francis de Sales More Quotes From Saint Francis de Sales And when children begin to use their reason, fathers and mothers should take great pains to fill their hearts with the fear of God. This the good Queen Blanche did most earnestly by St. Louis, her son: witness her oft-repeated words, "My son, I would sooner see you die than guilty of a mortal sin;" words which sank so deeply into the saintly monarch's heart, that he himself said there was no day on which they did not recur to his mind, and strengthen him in treading God's ways. Saint Francis de Sales painqueensmother By giving yourself to God, You not only receive Himself in exchange, but eternal life as well. Saint Francis de Sales headstoneeternal-lifegiving Take care of your health, that it may serve you to serve God. Saint Francis de Sales carehealthmay True virtue has no limits, but goes on and on, and especially holy charity, which is the virtue of virtues, and which having a definite object, would become infinite if it could meet with a heart capable of infinity. Saint Francis de Sales saintgoes-onheart Charity and devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire. Saint Francis de Sales charityflamesfire When the bee has gathered the dew of heaven and the earth's sweetest nectar from the flowers, it turns it into honey, then hastens to its hive. In the same way, the priest, having taken from the altar the Son of God (who is as the dew from heaven, and true son of Mary, flower of our humanity), gives him to you as delicious food. Saint Francis de Sales flowertakenson Hell is full of good intentions and wills. Saint Francis de Sales good-intentionsintentionhell Souls do not wish to be bullied, but gently brought back; such is the nature of man. Saint Francis de Sales catholicsoulmen 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. Saint Francis de Sales moldpassionsoul Consider the pains which martyrs have endured, and think how even now many people are bearing afflictions beyond all measure greater than yours, and say, "Of a truth my trouble is comfort, my torments are but roses as compared to those whose life is a continual death, without solace, or aid or consolation, borne down with a weight of grief tenfold greater than mine." Saint Francis de Sales paingriefreligious It is a great imperfection to complain unceasingly of little things. Saint Francis de Sales imperfectioncomplaininglittles 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. Saint Francis de Sales honorpracticegiving 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. Saint Francis de Sales vanityattachmentheart A good discourse is that from which nothing can be retrenched without cutting into the quick. Saint Francis de Sales discoursecutting Be neat, Philothea; let nothing be negligent about you. It is a kind of contempt of those with whom we converse, to frequent their company in uncomely apparel; but, at the same time, avoid all affectation, vanity, curiosity, or levity in your dress. Keep yourself always, as much as possible, on the side of plainness and modesty, which, without doubt, is the greatest ornament of beauty, and the best excuse for the want of it. Saint Francis de Sales vanitycuriositydoubt Those who commit these types of scandals are guility of the spiritual equivalent of murder, but I, here among you to prevent something far worst for you. While those who give scandal are guilty of the spiritual equivalent of murder, those who take scandal- who allow scandals to destroy faith- are guilty of spiritual suicide. Saint Francis de Sales suicidespiritualfaith Do not scrutinize so closely whether you are doing much or little, ill or well, so long as what you do is not sinful and that you are heartily seeking to do everything for God. Try as far as you can to do everything well, but when it is done, do not think about it. Try, rather, to think of what is to be done next. Go on simply in the Lord's way, and do not torment yourself. We ought to hate our faults, but with a quiet, calm hatred; not pettishly and anxiously. Saint Francis de Sales hatelongthinking He prays well who is so absorbed with God that he does not know he is praying. Saint Francis de Sales wellsprayingdoe The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other; it is a perpetual exercise in mortification. Saint Francis de Sales serving-otherssaintexercise Many would be willing to have afflictions provided that they not be inconvenienced by them. Saint Francis de Sales saintsufferingwould-be
