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Vincent de Paul

Vincent de Paul Books

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“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.”

TryingSaidHouseChristAcceptingPrinciplesTeachingRocksBuildingFoundationFundamentalsFollowingStatementsSandWorldlyFundamental PrinciplesWorldly WisdomAccepting The Truth
Author:Vincent de Paul
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“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.”

PeopleShouldHeartMaySpiritSufferingCompassionPrayingStriveSaintGrantsSpirit Of GodWretchedness
Book:Some Counsels Of S. Vincent De Paul : To Which Is Appended The Thoughts Of Mademoiselle Le Gras
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“Perfection consists in a constant perseverance to acquire the virtues and become proficient in their practice, because on God's road, not to advance is to fall back since man never remains in the same condition.”

MenValuesFallPracticeVirtueConditionsPerfectionRemainsConstantPerseveranceAcquireFall Back
Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)
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“. . . Our Lord humbles in order to raise up, and allows the suffering of interior and exterior afflictions in order to bring about peace. He often desires some things more than we do, but wants us to merit the grace of accomplishing them by several practices of virtue and to beg for this with many prayers.”

WantDesireSufferingValuesOrderPrayerLordPracticeVirtueGraceRaisesMeritAfflictionInteriorsWant UOur LordExteriorRaise Up
Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)
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“In order to become soundly virtuous, it is advisable to make good practical resolutions concerning particular acts of the virtues and to be faithful in carrying the out afterwards. Without doing that, one is often virtuous only in one's imagination.”

ValuesOrderImaginationVirtueParticularPracticalsFaithfulResolutionVirtuousBeing FaithfulAdvisable
Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)
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“It is true that zeal is the soul of the virtues, but most certainly, Monsieur, it must be according to knowledge, as Saint Paul says; that means: according to knowledge of experience. And because young people ordinarily do not possess this experiential knowledge, their zeal goes to excess, especially in those who have a natural asperity.”

PeopleMeanSoulYoungValuesNaturalVirtueSaintExcessZealSaint Paul
Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)
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“I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your difficulties. It is in such circumstances that we acquire virtue; where there is no suffering, there is little merit. My wish is that God may grant us great indifference with regard to duties. O Monsieur, how sure we would then be of doing His Holy Will, which is our sole aspiration, and how much peace and contentment we would enjoy, or so it seems to me!”

KnowsWellsMayLittlesSeemsSufferingValuesAsksWishEnjoyLordVirtueDutyCircumstancesHolyDifficultyRegardEndureIndifferenceMeritAspirationAcquireContentmentGrantsSoleOur LordMy Wish
Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
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“I can understand that the man you told me about has offended you, and I am very annoyed that he forgot himself like that. However, you must not consider what he did as coming from him but rather as a trial which God wishes to make of your patience. This virtue will be even more a virtue in you who are more sensitive by nature and have given less cause for the offense that you have received.”

MenI CanValuesGivenWishCausesVirtueHe ManTrialsSensitiveOffenseOffendedAnnoyedOffended You
Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
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“I thank God that you know the art of tearing yourself apart - I mean the way to humble yourself truly by recognizing and realizing your faults. You are right in believing yourself to be as you describe and to be most unsuitable for any kind of duty; it is on this foundation that Our Lord will base the execution of His plans for you.”

KnowsWayBelieveKindMeanArtValuesRealizingLordPlansDutyFoundationFaultsHumbleThank GodExecutionRecognizingOur LordHumble Yourself
Author:Vincent de Paul
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