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Vincent de Paul Quotes

Priest

St. Vincent de Paul, born on April 24, 1581, and died on September 27, 1660, was a renowned French priest, social reformer, and philanthropist. He is best known for his compassion and care for the poor and vulnerable, having founded organizations dedicated to aiding the needy, most notably the Vincentian Congregation, which continues to provide assistance worldwide.

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Famous Vincent de Paul Quotes

“[L]et us work to rid ourselves of our attacks of over-zealousness especially when it offends against respect, esteem, and charity.”

Values Charity Esteem

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)

“[L]ove is inventive to infinity.”

Charity Infinity

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

“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?”

People Giving Loss Numbers Charity Excuse Saved Assistance

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639

“The kingdom of God is peace in the Holy Spirit; He will reign in you if your heart is at peace. So, be at peace, Mademoiselle, and you will honor in a sovereign way the God of peace and love.”

Ifs Way Heart Spirit Honor Holy And Love Charity Kingdoms Holy Spirit Sovereign Reign Kingdom Of God Peace And Love

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639

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

Joy Pleasure Holy Charity His Love

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639

“There is no act of charity that is not accompanied by justice or that permits us to do more than we reasonably can.”

Justice Charity Permit Acts Of Charity

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)

“Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another . . .”

Persons God Community Charity Saint Helping Others Cement

Book:Correspondence Conference Documents

Source: Correspondence Conference Documents

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

Suffering Charity Neighbor Kingdoms Inconvenience

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)

“We cannot better assure our eternal happiness than by living and dying in the service of the poor, in the arms of Providence, and with genuine renouncement of ourselves in order to follow Jesus Christ.”

Order Jesus Christ Poor Dying Arms Eternal Jesus Christ Charity Genuine Providence Eternal Happiness

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

“Even convicts, with whom I have spent some time, are not won over in any other way. Whenever I happened to speak sharply to them, I spoiled everything; on the contrary, when I praised them for their resignation and sympathized with them in their sufferings; when I told them they were fortunate to have their purgatory in this world, when I kissed their chains, showed compassion for their distress, and expressed sorrow for their misfortune, it was then that they listened to me, gave glory to God, and opened themselves to salvation.”

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653

“. . . . [P]ersons who love very much, easily take offense at trifles. No doubt your excessive affection for me makes you a little diffident about mine. But there is no harm done; I hope you will soon be over this slight jealousy and be convinced that nothing can change the genuine affection Our Lord has given me for you”

Littles Done Given Lord Doubt Mines Charity Affection Harm Convinced Genuine No Doubt Offense Our Lord Trifles

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653

“We must be full reservoirs in order to let our water spill out without becoming empty, and we must possess the spirit with which we want them to be animated, for no one can give what he does not have.”

Want Giving Doe Spirit Order Water Becoming Empty Charity Animated Spills Reservoirs

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653

“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.”

Ifs Should May Beautiful House Practice Virtue Danger Charity Soldier Refuse Grants Refugee Asylums

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

“I hope that this man can be won over by your bearing charitably with him, advising him prudently, and praying for him. This is what I do for your family in general and for you in particular.”

Men Particular Praying Charity Our Family

Book:Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

“That's what our Rules engage us to do, to help poor persons, our lords and masters.”

Persons Helping Poor Lord Masters Charity Our Lord Help The Poor

Author:Vincent de Paul

“What a reason the Company has for observing its Rules faithfully: to do what the Son of God came into the world to do! That there should be a Company, and that it should be the Company of the Mission, composed of poor men, and that it should be entirely dedicated to that purpose, going here and there through hamlets and villages, leaving the towns behind-something that's never been done-and going to announce the Gospel only to persons who are poor; yet, those are our Rules!”

Men World Should Persons Reason Done Purpose Poor Behinds Company Son Towns Charity Leaving Missions Village Dedicated Observing Here And There Poor Man

Author:Vincent de Paul

“An honorable man would never abandon his friend in time of need, especially if they were in a foreign country. Why? For fear of acting like a coward or of being boorish. I repeat, I admire the fact that, those persons have, through human respect, more courage than Christians and priests have, through charity or through their good intentions.”

Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents

About the Author

Born: April 24, 1581
Died: September 27, 1660
Known for: Priest
Quotes: 217

Books & Sources

Correspondence, Conferences, DocumentsRelated source material

Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653Related source material

Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)Related source material

Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639Related source material

Correspondence Conference DocumentsRelated source material

Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: August 1646-March 1650Related source material

Flashes of Vice: Vol IIIRelated source material

Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Dec. 1657-June 1659Related source material

Some Counsels Of S. Vincent De Paul : To Which Is Appended The Thoughts Of Mademoiselle Le GrasRelated source material

Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac: Rules, Conferences, and WritingsRelated source material

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