Vincent de Paul Quotes about Wisdom - Page 2

You say you experience great difficulty in the mission. Alas! Monsieur, there is no lot in life where there is nothing to be endured.

Scandal often does as much harm to the listeners as to those who devise it, even if it were to do no other harm than disturb the mind, as it does, and give rise to temptations to speak or write about it to others.

Make an effort to serve good bread and good meat and not to sell the better wine so as to serve what is inferior.

If there is any danger in the present weather, in the name of God, Monsieur, wait until spring

If you say that a good reputation serves to benefit the neighbor more, I admit that. However, since it should be based on a good life, it is, therefore, preserved by the practice of virtue and not by human intrigue.

... I am sure that you are the first to do what you teach them.

It is not light they need but strength, and strength permeates through the external balm of words and good example.

It is a maxim of ours to work in the service of the people, with the good pleasure of the pastors, and never to act contrary to their wishes. And, at the opening and closing of each mission, we get their blessing in a spirit of dependence.

Remember, Monsieur, that Saint Augustine says that a person who does not obey the doctors is doing his best to kill himself.

The vine-stock bears fruit as long as it is attached to its stem; apart from that, no.

...it is difficult to master one's feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs

[R]est assured that, when you remain thus in the state in which obedience has placed you, the merit of this same obedience extends over everything you do, giving each action inestimable value, even when things do not turn out as you wish.

Peace is never so complete that we may not have something to suffer. . . . Since it is impossible to please all of [those you serve], they offer you the occasion for practices which increase your merit in the measure that you make them meritorious by your patience.

When in Rome, you must do as the Romans do and accept the local customs, if they are not immoral.

Nevertheless, when one is ill, one should be submissive to the doctor and obey him.

Far from being a bad thing to seek advice, you must, on the contrary, do so when the matter is of any importance, or when we cannot come to a clear decision on our own.

. . . [A]s a rule, the most learned persons do not produce the greatest results. We see that only too often.

[I]f the gentleness of your spirit needs a dash of vinegar, borrow a little from Our Lord's spirit. O Mademoiselle, how well He knew how to find a bittersweet remark when it is needed!

Naturally, everyone is disheartened by sharp reprimands, and by the most amiable corrections as well, if they are frequent, immoderate, or given inappropriately.

Experience teaches that what is feasible at the beginning is sometimes harmful as things go on, or subject to troublesome inconveniences

Is it not better to fail after asking advice than to risk acting on our own?

Just as stinginess is blameworthy, so is facility in paying more for things than they are worth...

[A] sick mind cannot be cured by the sheer force of persuasion.

If the Company takes my advice, it will always be preserved through this maxim, for if we are good, we will not lack any, and if we are not, we already have too many houses anyway, and can hardly fill the few we have.

I cannot think of the results of your labors without shame at the little we do.