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Jean Vanier Quotes about Heart

All Jean Vanier Quotes Celebration Children Community Compassion Darkness Desire Difficulty Dying Exercise Fighting Giving Healing Heart quotes Humanity Jesus Joy Loneliness Love Pain Responsibility Struggle Violence Weakness
Each human being, however small or weak, has something to bring to humanity. As we start to really get to know others, as we begin to listen to each other's stories, things begin to change. We begin the movement from

Each human being, however small or weak, has something to bring to humanity. As we start to really get to know others, as we begin to listen to each other's stories, things begin to change. We begin the movement from exclusion to inclusion, from fear to trust, from closedness to openness, from judgment and prejudice to forgiveness and understanding. It is a movement of the heart.

Jean Vanier
Heart, Understanding, Humanity

Each person is sacred, no matter what his or her culture, religion, handicap, or fragility. Each person is created in God’s image; each one has a heart, a capacity to love and to be loved.

Jean Vanier
Heart, Culture Religion, Capacity To Love
Jean Vanier (2013). “The Heart of L'Arche: A spirituality for every day”, p.33, SPCK

A society which discards those who are weak and non-productive risks exaggerating the development of reason, organisation, aggression and the desire to dominate. It becomes a society without a heart, without kindness - a rational and sad society, lacking celebration, divided within itself and given to competition, rivalry and, finally, violence.

Jean Vanier
Kindness, Heart, Competition
Jean Vanier (2008). “Man and Woman, God Made Them”, p.189, Paulist Press

There is a struggle inside you between these two parts. It's as if at times your heart becomes a battlefield! The secret part, full of light, seems so small and weak in the face of the discouraging and morbid part, which seems enormous and overwhelming. However, if you light a small candle in a dark room, everything is lit up. It is a matter of trusting in this little light in the deepest part of your being which can gradually chase away the darkness.

Jean Vanier
Struggle, Heart, Dark

There is nothing stronger than a heart which loves and is freely given.

Jean Vanier
Heart, Stronger, Given
Jean Vanier, Ann Shearer (1989). “Community and Growth”, p.22, Paulist Press

'Going home' is a journey to the heart of who we are, a place where we can be ourselves and welcome the reality of our beauty and our pain. From this acceptance of ourselves, we can accept others as they are and we can see our common humanity.

Jean Vanier
Pain, Home, Heart

But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time. (163)

Jean Vanier
Heart, Our World, Sight
Jean Vanier (2008). “Becoming Human”, p.163, Paulist Press

When people love each other, they are content with very little. When we have light and joy in our hearts, we don't need material wealth. The most loving communities are often the poorest.

Jean Vanier
Heart, Loving Life, Light
"A L’Arche Serving of Love in Kolkata" by Rumni Saha, www.huffingtonpost.com. August 6, 2015.

When children are loved, they live off trust; their bides and hearts open up to those who respect and love them, who understand and listen to them.

Jean Vanier
Children, Heart, And Love

The cry for love and communion and for recognition that rises from the hearts of people in need reveals the fountain of love in us and our capacity to give life.

Jean Vanier
Heart, People, Giving
Jean Vanier, Ann Shearer (1989). “Community and Growth”, p.98, Paulist Press

At the heart of the celebration, there are the poor. If [they] are excluded, it is not longer a celebration. [...] A celebration must always be a festival of the poor.

Jean Vanier
Heart, Festivals, Celebration

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