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Saint Francis de Sales

Saint Francis de Sales Quotes

Bishop of Geneva

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Famous Saint Francis de Sales Quotes

“People can pass thirty nights in dancing and no one complains about it, but if they watch through a single Christmas night they cough and claim their stomach is upset the next morning. Does anyone fail to see that the world is an unjust judge, gracious and well disposed to its own children but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God?”

PeopleIfsWorldWellsChildrenDoeNightNextWatchesMorningFailingJudgingClaimsCatholicDancingComplainingUpsetThirtyStomachHarshUnjustGraciousChild Of God
Author:Saint Francis de Sales
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“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage. How are we to be patient in dealing with our neighbour's faults if we are impatient in dealing with our own? He who is fretted by his own failings will not correct them. All profitable correction comes from a calm and peaceful mind.”

IfsMindMeanCourageFailingFaultsPatientCalmPeacefulImperfectionBe PatientProfitableNeighbourImpatientCorrectionsPeaceful MindDisheartened
Author:Saint Francis de Sales
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“Do not be ashamed of being poor, or of asking alms. Receive what is given you with humility, and accept a refusal meekly. Frequently call to mind Our Lady's journey into Egypt with her Holy Child, and of all the poverty, contempt and suffering they endured. If you follow their example you will indeed be rich amid your poverty.”

IfsMindChildrenSufferingGivenPoorAcceptingPovertyRichJourneyExampleHumilityHolyAskingAshamedContemptEgyptRefusalAlms
Book:Introduction to the Devout Life
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“If you have to do with one who is unquestionably a slanderer, do not excuse him by calling him frank and free-spoken; do not call one who is notoriously vain, liberal and elegant; do not call dangerous levities mere simplicity; do not screen disobedience under the name of zeal; or arrogance, of frankness; or evil intimacy, of friendship. No, my friends, we must never, in our wish to shun slander, foster or flatter vice in others: but we must call evil evil, and sin sin, and so doing we shall serve God's glory.”

IfsEvilNamesWishSinDangerousCallingGloryMy FriendsMereSimplicityVicesExcuseScreensIntimacyVainArroganceFrankServing GodElegantDisobedienceZealSlanderFranknessLevity
Book:The Saint Francis de Sales Collection [16 Books]
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“If after all your efforts you cannot succeed, you could not please our Lord more than by sacrificing to Him your will, and remaining in tranquility, humility, and devotion, entirely conformed and submissive to His divine will and good pleasure.”

IfsPleasureEffortLordSacrificeHumilityDivinePleaseSucceedDevotionTrust In GodSerenityTranquilityOur LordRecipe For SuccessCommitment To GodSelf SacrificeSubmissiveKeep The FaithKeep BelievingStay HumbleDivine WillChristian HumilityUltimate Sacrifice
Book:Letters to Persons in the World
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“Frequent not the company of immodest persons, especially if they be also impudent, as is generally the case; ...these corrupted souls and infected hearts scarcely speak to any, either of the same or a different sex, without causing them to fall in some degree from purity; they have poison in their eyes and in their breath, like basilisks. On the contrary, keep company with the chaste and virtuous; often meditate upon and read holy things; for the word of God is chaste, and makes those also chaste that delight in it.”

IfsHeartPersonsDifferentSoulEyeFallSpeakSexCompanyCasesHolyDegreesBreathsDelightContraryPoisonPurityWord Of GodVirtuousModestyChaste
Author:Saint Francis de Sales
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“Lately I was near the beehives and some of the bees flew onto my face. I wanted to raise my hand, and brush them off. 'No,' said a peasant to me, 'do not be afraid, and do not touch them. They will not sting you at all, if you touch them they will bite you.' I trusted him; not one bit me. Trust me; do not fear these temptations. Do not touch them; they will not hurt you.”

IfsSaidHandsWantedFacesBitsHurtRaisesTemptationBitesBeesTrustedBrushesWillpowerTrust MePeasantsFlewDo Not FearBeehives
Book:Thy Will be Done: Letters to Persons in the World
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