When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time. Saint Francis de Sales More Quotes by Saint Francis de Sales More Quotes From Saint Francis de Sales In everything, love simplicity. Saint Francis de Sales simplicity 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 angelsoulspiritual Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. Saint Francis de Sales strengthinspiringinspirational You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves. Saint Francis de Sales educationrunninglove While extremely sensitive as to the slightest approach to slander, you must also guard against an extreme into which some people fall, who, in their desire to speak evil of no one, actually uphold and speak well of vice. Saint Francis de Sales evilpeoplefall Cook the truth in charity until it tastes sweet. Saint Francis de Sales charitytastesweet Oh what remorse we shall feel at the end of our lives, when we look back upon the great number of instructions and examples afforded by God and the Saints for our perfection, and so carelessly received by us! If this end were to come to you today, how would you be pleased with the life you have led this year? Saint Francis de Sales perfectionnumbersyears The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not "What a lovely sermon!" but "I will do something." Saint Francis de Sales christianinspirationallife Go in all simplicity; do not be anxious to win a quiet mind, and it will be all the quieter. Do not examine so closely into the progress of your soul. Do not crave too much to be perfect, but let your spiritual life beformed by your duties, and by the actions which are called forth by circumstances. Saint Francis de Sales spiritualperfectwinning One single day of devotion is worth more than a thousand years of worldly life. Saint Francis de Sales worldly-lifedevotionyears We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God. If at times we are somewhat stunned by the tempest, never fear. Let us take breath, and go on afresh. Saint Francis de Sales trustheartlong 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. Saint Francis de Sales excellent-workwishenemy 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! Saint Francis de Sales powerfulprayerjesus 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 workmenshouldappreciation When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence. Saint Francis de Sales holy-eucharistspiritualheart It matters little how one begins, provided that he be resolved to go on well, and to end well. Saint Francis de Sales mattergoes-onlittles Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you. Saint Francis de Sales losing-a-loved-onesaintangel We may be excused for not always being bright, but we are not excused for not being gracious, yielding and considerate. Saint Francis de Sales serving-otherssaintmay 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. Saint Francis de Sales eyemeditationprayer Strive to see God in all things without exception. Do not smother yourself...If you start smothering yourself with a host of cares and longings and wishes ... you will be disabling yourself from serving God with all your heart. Saint Francis de Sales carewishheart
