Francis De Sales Quotes

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.

~ Francis De Sales

We all colour devotion according to our own likings and dispositions. One man sets great value on fasting, and believes himself to be leading a very devout life, so long as he fasts rigorously, although the while his heart is full of bitterness;–and while he will not moisten his lips with wine, perhaps not even with water, in his great abstinence, he does not scruple to steep them in his neighbour’s blood, through slander and detraction.

~ Francis De Sales

Even as a man just recovering from illness walks only so far as he is obliged to go, with a slow and weary step, so the converted sinner journeys along as far as God commands him but slowly and wearily, until he attains a spirit of true devotion, and then, like a sound man, he not only gets along, but he runs and leaps in the way of God's Commands, and hastens gladly along the paths of heavenly counsels and inspirations.

~ Francis De Sales

The same Everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day of your life. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts.

~ Francis De Sales

The body is poisoned through the mouth, even so is the heart through the ear ... And even if we do mean no harm, the Evil One means a great deal, and he will use those idle words as a sharp weapon against some neighbor's heart.

~ Francis De Sales

If you have firm trust in God, the success that comes to you will always be that which is most useful for you whether it appears good or bad in your private judgment.

~ Francis De Sales

Never does our good God leave us save to hold us better, never does He let go of us save to keep us better, never does He wrestle with us save to give Himself up to us and to bless us.

~ Francis De Sales

God is merciful to those who want to love Him and who have placed their hopes in Him.

~ Francis De Sales

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

~ Francis De Sales

The acts of daily forbearance, the headache, or toothache, or heavy cold; the tiresome peculiarities of husband or wife, the broken glass...all of these sufferings, small as they are, if accepted lovingly, are most pleasing to God's Goodness.

~ Francis De Sales

He enables [his children] to walk before him, he holds their hand in difficulties, he himself carries them along in hardships that he sees as being otherwise unbearable to them.

~ Francis De Sales

Our possessions are not ours- God has given them to us to cultivate, that we may make them fruitful and profitable in His Service, and so doing we shall please Him.

~ Francis De Sales

Be patient, you are in good company. Our Lord Himself, our Lady, the apostles, and countless saints, both men and women, have been poor.

~ Francis De Sales

Grace is never wanting. God always gives sufficient grace to whoever is willing to receive it.

~ Francis De Sales

When we find that we have been aroused to anger we must call for God's help like the apostles when they were tossed about by the wind and storm on the waters. He will command your passions to cease and there will be a great calm.

~ Francis De Sales

Certainly all virtues are very dear to God, but humility pleases Him above all the others, and it seems that He can refuse it nothing.

~ Francis De Sales

Let us make our way through these low valleys of the humble and little virtues. We shall see in them the roses amid the thorns, charity that shows its beauty among interior and exterior afflictions, the lilies of purity.

~ Francis De Sales

A man who can own pearls does not bother about shells, and those who aspire to virtue do not trouble themselves over honors.

~ Francis De Sales

The King of Glory does not reward His servants according to the dignity of their office, but according to the humility and love with which they have exercised it.

~ Francis De Sales

Little deeds that proceed from charity please God and have their place among meritorious acts.

~ Francis De Sales

Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.

~ Francis De Sales

Fits of anger, vexation,and bitterness against ourselves tend to pride and they spring from no other source than self-love, which is disturbed and upset at seeing that it is imperfect.

~ Francis De Sales

He would never exhort the faithful to persevere if he were not ready to give them the power to do so.

~ Francis De Sales

He will unfailingly be pleased with our patience and take note of our diligence and perseverance.

~ Francis De Sales

Be patient and one day you will be in Heaven, where there will be only peace and joy ... You will possess an enduring tranquility and rest.

~ Francis De Sales

We must unceasingly ask for [perseverance] by making use of the means which God has taught us for obtaining it: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, frequenting the sacraments, association with good companions, and hearing and reading Holy Scripture.

~ Francis De Sales

One of the best exercises in meekness we can perform is when the subject Is in ourselves. We must not fret over our own imperfections. Although reason requires that we must be displeased and sorry whenever we commit a fault we must refrain from bitter, gloomy,spiteful, and emotional displeasure. Many people are greatly at fault in this way. When overcome by anger they become angry at being angry, disturbed at being disturbed and vexed at being vexed. By such means they keep their hearts drenched and steeped in passion.

~ Francis De Sales

There are two sorts of good wills. The one says, I would do well, but it gives me trouble, and I will not do it. The other, I wish to do well, but I have not as much power as I have will; it is this which holds me back. The first fills Hell, the second Paradise.

~ Francis De Sales

Frequently give up some of your property by giving it with a generous heart to the poor ... It is true that God will repay us not only in the next world but even in this.

~ Francis De Sales

Examine your heart often to see if it is such toward your neighbor as you would like his to be toward you were you in his place. This is the touchstone of true reason.

~ Francis De Sales

Ought we not to love dearly the neighbor, who truly represents to us the sacred Person of our Master? And is this not one of the most powerful motives we could have for loving each other with an ardently burning love?

~ Francis De Sales

I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was cold and you clothed me; come, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' He who is the the King of the poor and of kings will say this at His great judgment.

~ Francis De Sales