Vincent de Paul Quotes about Wisdom

Fear not; calm will follow the storm, and perhaps soon.

Nature makes trees put down deep roots before having them bear fruit, and even this is done gradually.

We should take as a maxim never to be surprised at current difficulties, no more than at a passing breeze, because with a little patience we shall see them disappear. Time changes everything.

Indeed, good is not good if one does not suffer in doing it.

There is nothing good that does not meet with opposition, and it should not be valued any less because it encounters objections.

You should not open your mouth except to express gratitude for benefits you have received, and never to mention your discontent.

A doctor who keeps a person from becoming ill deserves more merit than one who cures him.

Since you know the means of getting better, in the name of God, make use of them. Do not take on anything beyond your strength, do not be anxious, do not take things too much to heart, go gently, do not work too long or too hard.

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.

Cast from your heart the bitterness.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Do not be afraid of undertaking too much of what you can do without coming and going; but fear only the thought of doing more than you are doing and more than God is giving you the means to do.

Remember the maxim of the Romans which states that by union and counsel we can achieve anything.

...a great good is worth being long desired.

The wisest persons, surprised by some passion, often say things they later regret.

It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize.

[P]resent misfortune presupposes good luck in the future.

[M]ost people offend God by passing judgment on the things others do, especially important people, not knowing the reasons why they are doing what they do; for when one does not know the primary cause of some matter, what conclusions can he draw from it?

. . . [T]hose persons who console you today may humiliate you tomorrow.

Use gentle methods to get whatever good you can from priests and monks who are slaves, as well as from merchants and captives. Resort to severe measures only in extreme cases, for fear lest the hardship they are already enduring in their state of captivity, joined to the strictness you might want to exercise in virtue of your authority, drive them to despair. . . . It is not light they need, but strength, and strength permeates through the external balm of words and good example.