“Just as stinginess is blameworthy, so is facility in paying more for things than they are worth...”
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639
“[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!”
Source: Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac: Rules, Conferences, and Writings
“[P]resent misfortune presupposes good luck in the future.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639
“When in Rome, you must do as the Romans do and accept the local customs, if they are not immoral.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: I. Correspondence. v. 1. 1607-1639
“[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?”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Correspondence; January 1640-July 1646)
“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.”
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“Peace is worth more than all worldly possessions; in addition, God rewards it even in this life.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“...it is difficult to master one's feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“Experience teaches that what is feasible at the beginning is sometimes harmful as things go on, or subject to troublesome inconveniences”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“With whose imperfections will you bear, and what insult are you capable of enduring, if a thoughtless word from your own Superior is unbearable?”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: August 1646-March 1650
“Is it not better to fail after asking advice than to risk acting on our own?”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“Make an effort to serve good bread and good meat and not to sell the better wine so as to serve what is inferior.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“[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.”
“It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize.”
“Remember, Monsieur, that Saint Augustine says that a person who does not obey the doctors is doing his best to kill himself.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“You say you experience great difficulty in the mission. Alas! Monsieur, there is no lot in life where there is nothing to be endured.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“It is not light they need but strength, and strength permeates through the external balm of words and good example.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“Cast from your heart the bitterness.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“Fear not; calm will follow the storm, and perhaps soon.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“...a great good is worth being long desired.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“A doctor who keeps a person from becoming ill deserves more merit than one who cures him.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“There is nothing good that does not meet with opposition, and it should not be valued any less because it encounters objections.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“People are made in such a way that even the holiest ones are liable to offend one another.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“Nevertheless, when one is ill, one should be submissive to the doctor and obey him.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“. . . [A]s a rule, the most learned persons do not produce the greatest results. We see that only too often.”
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“. . . [T]hose persons who console you today may humiliate you tomorrow.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“Laws must never be made compatible with crimes, no more than lying should be in harmony with the truth.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“I have heard that M. Guesdon is dictating lessons to his seminarians. This is contrary to the custom of the Company and a somewhat ineffective way of teaching, since the students rely on their notes and do not exercise either their judgment or their memory, In this way, their minds remain empty while they pile up papers which they will perhaps never look at again.”
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“[A] sick mind cannot be cured by the sheer force of persuasion.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents: Apr. 1650-July 1653
“Remember the maxim of the Romans which states that by union and counsel we can achieve anything.”
“... I am sure that you are the first to do what you teach them.”
“Indeed, good is not good if one does not suffer in doing it.”
“The vine-stock bears fruit as long as it is attached to its stem; apart from that, no.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“You should not open your mouth except to express gratitude for benefits you have received, and never to mention your discontent.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“If there is any danger in the present weather, in the name of God, Monsieur, wait until spring”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“The wisest persons, surprised by some passion, often say things they later regret.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“I cannot think of the results of your labors without shame at the little we do.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“Naturally, everyone loves his freedom, but we must beware of this as of a broad road that leads to perdition.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
“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.”
Source: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents
