Saint Francis De Sales Quotes & Sayings

By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God. Begin all your prayers in the presence of God. — Saint Francis De Sales

Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others, and talk to God. — Saint Francis De Sales

There was never an angry man that thought his anger unjust. — Saint Francis De Sales

It is a great imperfection to complain unceasingly of little things. — Saint Francis De Sales

We have freedom to do good or evil; yet to make choice of evil, is not to use, but to abuse our freedom. — Saint Francis De Sales

Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers. — Saint Francis De Sales

Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue. — Saint Francis De Sales

Provided that God be glorified, we must not care by whom. — Saint Francis De Sales

All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be. — Saint Francis De Sales

Nothing is more like a wise man than a fool who holds his tongue. — Saint Francis De Sales

There is nothing as strong as tenderness, And nothing as tender as true strength. — Saint Francis De Sales

We can never attain to perfection while we have an affection for any imperfection. — Saint Francis De Sales

Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God. — Saint Francis De Sales

Every vocation becomes more agreeable when united with devotion. — Saint Francis De Sales

Hell is full of good intentions and wills. — Saint Francis De Sales

Better make penitents by gentleness than hypocrites by severity. — Saint Francis De Sales

How are you to meet the swarm of foolish attachments, triflings, and undesirable inclinations which beset you? By turning sharply away, and thoroughly renouncing such vanities, flying to the Saviour's Cross, and clasping His Crown of thorns to your heart, so that these little foxes may not spoil your vines. Beware of entering into any manner of treaty with the Enemy; do not delude yourself by listening to him while intending to reject him. — Saint Francis De Sales

While I am busy with little things, I am not required to do greater things. — Saint Francis De Sales

Faith fills a man with love for the beauty of its truth, with faith in the truth of its beauty — Saint Francis De Sales

Cook the truth in charity until it tastes sweet. — Saint Francis De Sales

Trouble that is easily recognized is half-cured. — Saint Francis De Sales

The spirit cannot endure the body when overfed, but, if underfed, the body cannot endure the spirit. — Saint Francis De Sales

If we say a little it is easy to add, but having said too much it is hard to withdraw and never can it be done so quickly as to hinder the harm of our success. — Saint Francis De Sales

A dance is the devil's procession, and he that entereth into a dance, entereth into his possession. — Saint Francis De Sales

It is the mark of a mean, vulgar and ignoble spirit to dwell on the thought of food before meal times or worse to dwell on it afterwards, to discuss it and wallow in the remembered pleasures of every mouthful. Those whose minds dwell before dinner on the spit, and after on the dishes, are fit only to be scullions. — Saint Francis De Sales

Consider the pains which martyrs have endured, and think how even now many people are bearing afflictions beyond all measure greater than yours, and say, "Of a truth my trouble is comfort, my torments are but roses as compared to those whose life is a continual death, without solace, or aid or consolation, borne down with a weight of grief tenfold greater than mine." — Saint Francis De Sales

Chastity is the lily of virtues, and makes men almost equal to Angels. Everything is beautiful in accordance with its purity. Now the purity of man is chastity, which is called honesty, and the observance of it, honor and also integrity; and its contrary is called corruption; in short, it has this peculiar excellence above the other virtues, that it preserves both soul and body fair and unspotted. — Saint Francis De Sales

There is nothing small in the service of God. — Saint Francis De Sales

God requires a faithful fulfillment of the merest trifle given us to do, rather than the most ardent aspiration to things to which we are not called. — Saint Francis De Sales

Faith is like a bright ray of sun light. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God. — Saint Francis De Sales

One great remedy against all manner of temptation, great or small, is to open the heart and lay bare its suggestion, likings, and dislikings before some spiritual adviser; for, ... the first condition which the Evil One makes with a soul, when he wants to entrap it, is silence. — Saint Francis De Sales

Every Christian needs a half-hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour. — Saint Francis De Sales

What son would not bring his mother back to life and would not bring her into paradise after her death if he could? — Saint Francis De Sales

All true and living devotion presupposes the love of God and indeed it is neither more nor less than a very real love of God, though not always of the same kind; for that Love one while shining on the soul we call grace, which makes us acceptable to His Divine Majesty; when it strengthens us to do well, it is called Charity; but when it attains its fullest perfection, in which it not only leads us to do well, but to act carefully, diligently, and promptly, then it is called Devotion. — Saint Francis De Sales

A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship. — Saint Francis De Sales

Many great persons have been of opinion that love is no other thing than complacency itself, in which they have had much appearance of reason. For not only does the movement of love take its origin from the complacency which the heart feels at the first approach of good, and find its end in a second complacency which returns to the heart by union with the thing beloved
but further, it depends for its preservation on this complacency, and can only subsist through it as through its mother and nurse; so that as soon as the complacency ceases, love ceases. — Saint Francis De Sales

Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off. — Saint Francis De Sales

Pride dies 20 minutes after death. — Saint Francis De Sales

All the science of the Saints is included in these two things: To do, and to suffer. And whoever had done these two things best, has made himself most saintly. — Saint Francis De Sales

Flowers often grow more beautifully on dung-hills than in gardens that look beautifully kept. — Saint Francis De Sales

The merit of the cross does not consist in its heaviness, but in the manner in which we carry it. I would even say that it is sometimes more virtuous to carry a cross of straw than a heavy cross because we have to be more attentive for fear of losing it. — Saint Francis De Sales

God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. — Saint Francis De Sales

Go to your confessor; open your heart to him; display to him all the recesses of your soul; take the advice that he will give you with the utmost humility and simplicity. For God, Who has an infinite love for obedience, frequently renders profitable the counsels we take from others, but especially from those who are the guides of our souls. — Saint Francis De Sales

He who can preserve gentleness amid pains, and peace amid worry multitude of affairs, is almost perfect. — Saint Francis De Sales

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? — Saint Francis De Sales

Professions of humility are the very cream, the very essence of pride; the really humble person wishes to be, and not to appear so. Humility is timorous, and starts at her shadow; and so delicate that if she hears her name pronounced it endangers her existence. — Saint Francis De Sales

Do not fret under such assistance as is needful; therein lies one great grace of poverty. It were overambitious to aim at being poor without suffering any inconvenience, in other words, to have the credit of poverty and the convenience of riches. — Saint Francis De Sales

If I want only pure water, what does it matter to me whether it be brought in a vase of gold or of glass? What is it to me whether the will of God be presented to me in tribulation or consolation, since I desire and seek only the Divine will? ... — Saint Francis De Sales

Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence. — Saint Francis De Sales

The highest degree of meekness consists in seeing, serving, honoring, and treating amiably, on occasion, those who are not to our taste, and who show themselves unfriendly, ungrateful, and troublesome to us. — Saint Francis De Sales

It is to those who have the most need of us that we ought to show our love more especially. — Saint Francis De Sales

Marital intercourse is certainly holy, lawful and praiseworthy in itself and profitable to society, yet in certain circumstances it can prove dangerous, as when through excess the soul is made sick with venial sin, or through the violation and perversion of its primary end, killed by mortal sin; such perversion, detestable in proportion to its departure from the true order, being always mortal sin, for it is never lawful to exclude the primary end of marriage which is the procreation of children. — Saint Francis De Sales

A judicious silence is always better than truth spoken without charity. — Saint Francis De Sales

The elephant, not only the largest but the most intelligent of animals, provides us with an excellent example. It is faithful and tenderly loving to the female of its choice, mating only every third year and then for no more than five days, and so secretly as never to be seen, until, on the sixth day, it appears and goes at once to wash its whole body in the river, unwilling to return to the herd until thus purified. Such good and modest habits are an example to husband and wife. — Saint Francis De Sales

Naturally we all have an inclination to command, and a great aversion to obey; and yet it is certain that it is more for our good to obey than to command; hence perfect souls have always had a great affection for obedience, and have found all their joy and comfort in it. — Saint Francis De Sales

A spoon full of honey gets more flies than a barrel full of vinegar. — Saint Francis De Sales

I see crosses at every turn. My flesh shudders over it, but my heart adores them. Yes, I hail you, crosses little and great, I hail you, and kiss your feet, unworthy of the honor of your shadow. — Saint Francis De Sales

The enemy often tries to make us attempt and start many projects so that we will be overwhelmed with too many tasks, and therefore achieve nothing and leave everything unfinished. Sometimes he even suggests the wish to undertake some excellent work that he foresees we will never accomplish. This is to distract us from the prosecution of some less excellent work that we would have easily completed. He does not care how many plans and beginnings we make, provided nothing is finished. — Saint Francis De Sales

The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them. — Saint Francis De Sales

Every morning prepare your soul for a tranquil day. — Saint Francis De Sales

Mount Calvary is the academy of love. — Saint Francis De Sales

We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day. — Saint Francis De Sales

Be neat, Philothea; let nothing be negligent about you. It is a kind of contempt of those with whom we converse, to frequent their company in uncomely apparel; but, at the same time, avoid all affectation, vanity, curiosity, or levity in your dress. Keep yourself always, as much as possible, on the side of plainness and modesty, which, without doubt, is the greatest ornament of beauty, and the best excuse for the want of it. — Saint Francis De Sales

Humor is the foundation of reconciliation. — Saint Francis De Sales

Is it not a great temptation to be so valiant in imagination and so cowardly in execution? — Saint Francis De Sales

If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently ... And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour but bring your heart back, though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour would be very well employed. — Saint Francis De Sales

Nothing appeases an enraged elephant so much as the sight of a little lamb. — Saint Francis De Sales

When charity requires it we must freely and mildly communicate to our neighbor not only what is his instruction, but also what is profitable for his consolation. — Saint Francis De Sales

The Lord delights in every little step you take. — Saint Francis De Sales

The highest point of humility consists in not merely acknowledging one's abjection, but in taking pleasure therein, not from any want of breadth or courage, but to give the more glory to God's Divine Majesty, and to esteem one's neighbour more highly than one's self. — Saint Francis De Sales

We are sometimes so busy being good angels that we neglect to be good men and women. — Saint Francis De Sales

To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection. — Saint Francis De Sales

Let the enemy rage at the gate; let him knock, pound, scream, howl; let him do his worst. We know for certain that he cannot enter our soul except by the door of our consent. — Saint Francis De Sales

When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time. — Saint Francis De Sales

A good discourse is that from which nothing can be retrenched without cutting into the quick. — Saint Francis De Sales

Obedience is a consecration of the heart, chastity of the body, and poverty of all worldly goods to the Love and Service of God. Blessed indeed are the obedient, for God will never permit them to go astray. — Saint Francis De Sales

Do not desire crosses, unless you have borne well those laid on you; it is an abuse to long after martyrdom while unable to bear an insult patiently. — Saint Francis De Sales

Without a doubt, one of the things which keeps us from attaining perfection is our tongue. When one has reached the point of no longer committing faults in speech, he has surely reached perfection, as was said by the Holy Spirit. The worst defect in talking is talking too much. Hence, in speech be brief and virtuous, brief and gentle, brief and simple, brief and charitable, brief and amiable. — Saint Francis De Sales

Those who commit these types of scandals are guility of the spiritual equivalent of murder, but I, here among you to prevent something far worst for you. While those who give scandal are guilty of the spiritual equivalent of murder, those who take scandal- who allow scandals to destroy faith- are guilty of spiritual suicide. — Saint Francis De Sales

When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence. — Saint Francis De Sales

One rarely does well what one rarely does. — Saint Francis De Sales

There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of divine love - every man works his oar voluntarily! — Saint Francis De Sales

Big fires flare up in a wind, but little ones are blown out unless they are carried in under cover. — Saint Francis De Sales

What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience. — Saint Francis De Sales

Oh what remorse we shall feel at the end of our lives, when we look back upon the great number of instructions and examples afforded by God and the Saints for our perfection, and so carelessly received by us! If this end were to come to you today, how would you be pleased with the life you have led this year? — Saint Francis De Sales

One single act done with aridity of spirit is worth more than many done with feelings of devotion. — Saint Francis De Sales

There are many who say to the Lord, "I give myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve," but there are few who embrace the practice of this abandonment, which consists in receiving with a certain indifference every sort of event, as it happens in conformity with Divine Providence, as well afflictions as consolations, contempt and reproaches as honor and glory. — Saint Francis De Sales

The declared enemies of God and His Church, heretics and schismatics, must be criticized as much as possible, as long as truth is not denied. It is a work of charity to shout: 'Here is the wolf!' when it enters the flock or anywhere else. — Saint Francis De Sales

For every great temptation there will be many small ones. Wolves and bears are more dangerous than flies, but we are bothered most by flies. — Saint Francis De Sales

The thoughts of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the beloved, their hearts are filled with passion for it, and their mouths full of its praises. — Saint Francis De Sales

I recommend to you holy simplicity. — Saint Francis De Sales

Do not complain then of your poverty, my daughter, - we only complain of that which is unwelcome, and if poverty is unwelcome to you, you are no longer poor in spirit. — Saint Francis De Sales

We do not very often come across opportunities for exercising strength, magnanimity, or magnificence; but gentleness, temperance, modesty, and humility, are graces which ought to colour everything we do. There may be virtues of a more exalted mould, but ... these are the most continually called for in daily life. — Saint Francis De Sales

The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not "What a lovely sermon!" but "I will do something." — Saint Francis De Sales

Every moment comes to us pregnant with a command from God, only to pass on and plunge into eternity, there to remain forever what we have made of it. — Saint Francis De Sales

True humility scarcely ever utters words of humility. — Saint Francis De Sales

Work hard every day at increasing your purity of heart, which consists in appraising things and weighing them in the balance of God's will. — Saint Francis De Sales

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. — Saint Francis De Sales

A heart-memory is better than a mere head-memory. Better to carry away a little of the love of Christ in our souls, than if we were able to repeat every word of every sermon we ever heard. — Saint Francis De Sales

O my child, bethink you that just as the bee, having gathered heaven's dew and earth's sweetest juices from amid the flowers, carries it to her hive; so the Priest, having taken the Saviour, God's Own Son, Who came down from Heaven, the Son of Mary, Who sprang up as earth's choicest flower, from the Altar, feeds you with that Bread of Sweetness and of all delight. — Saint Francis De Sales