Vincent de Paul Quotes - Page 3

Who will excuse us before God for the loss of such a great number of people, who could be saved by the slight assistance we could give them?

You can give me no greater consolation nor render greater service to your neighbor than to place yourself in a condition to serve him for a long time

I am determined, even if they throw mud in my face, never to show any resentment, nor break with them, nor deviate from the esteem and honor I owe them in the sight of God. If they forget themselves and say or do something offensive against your little bark, even if it is done purposely to make it sink, bear with it for the love of God, who will save you from shipwreck and calm the storm. Do not complain or even say a single work about it. In spite of everything, continue to compliment them when you meet, as if nothing were amiss.

Let each of us accept the truth of the following statement and try to make it our most fundamental principle: Christ's teaching will never let us down, while worldly wisdom always will. Christ Himself said that this sort of wisdom was like a house with nothing but sand as its foundation, while His own was like a building with solid rock as its foundation.

May God be pleased to make it known to you, and fill you increasingly with His Spirit, so that through you it may be poured into the souls you guide, and your own soul may be more greatly sanctified!

It is no wonder you are tempted; on the contrary, it would be something new if you were not, because man's life is nothing but temptation, and no one is exempt from it, especially those who have given themselves to God; his own Son even passed through this trial. But if it is necessary for everyone, it is also a source of merit for those to whom God grants the grace of turning all things to good, as you do.

do not be surprised by your trials, since the Son of God has chosen them for our salvation.

Cast from your heart the bitterness.

God often delays the conclusion of a holy endeavor so that those involved in it might merit its grace by the length of the work, their patience, and their prayers. This is why I beg you not to grow weary in yours. Although He may delay, He will reveal that it is pleasing to Him, if it is done, nevertheless, in a spirit of resignation regarding the outcome.

If you grant asylum to so many refugees, your house may be sacked sooner by the soldiers; I see that clearly. The question is, however, whether, because of this danger, you should refuse to practice such a beautiful virtue as charity.

There are good, God-fearing persons who still fall into certain faults, and it is better to bear with them than to be hard on them.

. . . [I]n the kingdom of charity, one prefers to suffer some inconvenience rather than inconvenience the neighbor.

Providence must call us and we must follow it, if we are to go forward confidently.

Good works are often spoiled by moving too quickly. . . . The good which God desires is accomplished almost by itself, without our even thinking of it.

God uproots the vine that He Himself has not planted.

Peace is worth more than all worldly possessions; in addition, God rewards it even in this life.

People are made in such a way that even the holiest ones are liable to offend one another.

[E]ven if the whole world should rise up to destroy us, nothing will happen except that God, in whom we have put our hope, will allow.

Man's condition is never the same; he is humbled, then exalted; sometimes at peace, sometimes persecuted; enlightened today and plunged into darkness tomorrow. What is to be done? As I said, let us be prepared for whatever may happen.

If you do not see any good in these persons, then say nothing, but if you do see some, speak about it to honor God in them because all good proceeds from Him.

He also always blesses humble beginnings much more than those accompanied by a lot of show.

All of you desire to belong entirely to God, and God also wants all of you to belong to Him

Laws must never be made compatible with crimes, no more than lying should be in harmony with the truth.

[I]t is His good pleasure that we remain always in the holy joy of His love.

Naturally, everyone loves his freedom, but we must beware of this as of a broad road that leads to perdition.