Francois Fenelon Quotes - Page 3

Resign every forbidden joy; restrain every wish that is not referred to God's will; banish all eager desires, all anxiety; desire only the will of God; seek him alone and supremely, and you will find peace.

Peace does not dwell in outward things but within the soul; we may preserve it in the midst of the bitterest pain, if our will remains firm and submissive. Peace in this life springs from acquiescence to, not an exemption from, suffering.

To will everything that God wills, and to will it always, in all circumstances and without reservations: that is the kingdom of God which is entirely within.

As long as anything in this world means anything to you, your freedom is only a word. You are like a bird that is held by a leash; you can only fly so far.

Time is given us that we may take care for eternity; and eternity will not be too long to regret the loss of our time if we have misspent it.

God never makes us sensible of our weakness except to give us of His strength.

Alas! how many souls there are full of self, and yet desirous of doing good and serving God, but in such a way as to suit themselves; who desire to impose rules upon God as to His manner of drawing them to Himself. They want to serve and possess Him, but they are not willing to be possessed by Him.

All wars are civil wars because all men are brothers... Each one owes infinitely more to the human race than to the particular country in which he was born.

Had we not faults of our own, we should take less pleasure in complaining of others.

Courage is a virtue only so far as it is directed by prudence.

If we had strength and faith enough to trust ourselves entirely to God; and follow Him simply wherever He should lead us, we should have no need of any great effort of mind to reach perfection.

We can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.

We must truly serve those whom we appear to command; we must bear with their imperfections, correct them with gentleness and patience, and lead them in the way to heaven.

Frequently a big advantage can be gained by knowing how to give in at the right moment.

Exactness and neatness in moderation is a virtue, but carried to extremes narrows the mind.

Worry is the cross which we make for ourselves by over anxiety.

The best use one can make of his mind is to distrust it.

There is never any peace for those who resist God.

If God bores you, tell Him that He bores you, that you prefer the vilest amusements to His presence, that you only feel at your ease when you are far from Him.

Blessed are the poor in spirit." Blessed are they who are stripped of every thing, even of their own wills, that they may no longer belong to themselves.

Peace does not dwell in outward things, but within the soul.

Speak, move, act in peace, as if you were in prayer. In truth, this is prayer.

I love my country better than my family; but I love humanity better than my country.

Simplicity is the straightforwardness of a soul which refuses itself any reaction with regard to itself or its deeds. This virtue differs from and surpasses sincerity. We see many people who are sincere without being simple. They do not wish to be taken for other than what they are; but they are always fearing lest they should be taken for what they are not.

Nothing marks so much the solid advancement of a soul, as the view of one's wretchedness without anxiety and without discouragement.