Vincent De Paul Quotes & Sayings

A great good is worth being long desired. — Vincent De Paul

Remember, Monsieur, that Saint Augustine says that a person who does not obey the doctors is doing his best to kill himself. — Vincent De Paul

It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so that they end up not being able to do anything. The spirit of God urges one gently to do the good that can be done reasonably, so that it may be done perseveringly and for a long time. — Vincent De Paul

There is nothing good that does not meet with opposition, and it should not be valued any less because it encounters objections. — Vincent De Paul

Practice teaching catechism and preaching. Missionaries must apply themselves to these tasks and although they do not accomplish them as successfully as others do, according to the opinion of men, it must be enough for them that they are doing the Will of God and perhaps producing more real fruit. — Vincent De Paul

Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another ... — Vincent De Paul

All comes at the proper time to him who knows how to wait. — Vincent De Paul

Let us be submissive to Providence, He will see to our affairs in His own time and in His own way — 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. — Vincent De Paul

I cannot think of the results of your labors without shame at the little we do. — Vincent De Paul

[P]resent misfortune presupposes good luck in the future. — Vincent De Paul

Laws must never be made compatible with crimes, no more than lying should be in harmony with the truth. — Vincent De Paul

You say you are not happy in the Mission. That, in itself, is not a sign that God does not want you there. Perfect contentment is never to be found, in whatever place and condition one may be. This life is full of annoyances and troubles both of mind and of body; it is a state of continual agitation, which snatches peace of mind from those who think they possess it and eludes those who seek it. Did Our Lord lead an easy life? — Vincent De Paul

The works of God are not accomplished when we wish them, but whenever it pleases Him. — Vincent De Paul

Your soul will be blessed, Sister, if you bear patiently the troubles of mind and body His Providence sends you, or which come to you from within and without. — Vincent De Paul

O Monsieur de Sergis, how important a matter is submission of spirit to a superior! — Vincent De Paul

It's a pity you think that the world can be righted through murder. Isn't there enough death in the world already from hunger, starvation, calamities, and the stupid wars you stupid humans wage against each other? — Vincent De Paul

May God be pleased to make it known to you, and fill you increasingly with His Spirit, so that through you it may be poured into the souls you guide, and your own soul may be more greatly sanctified! — Vincent De Paul

It is not light they need but strength, and strength permeates through the external balm of words and good example. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

All of you desire to belong entirely to God, and God also wants all of you to belong to Him — Vincent De Paul

The soul is a liar, it's lying to you. A little arrogance is good for the soul though. — Vincent De Paul

God uproots the vine that He Himself has not planted. — Vincent De Paul

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? — Vincent De Paul

If after so much effort and prayer, the matter is not successful, it will be a clear sign that God does not will it. — Vincent De Paul

I have never come away from you without reflecting that the Spirit of God and His holy workings reside in you. — Vincent De Paul

You can give me no greater consolation nor render greater service to your neighbor than to place yourself in a condition to serve him for a long time — Vincent De Paul

[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? — Vincent De Paul

A doctor who keeps a person from becoming ill deserves more merit than one who cures him. — Vincent De Paul

[R]estlessness usually stems from pride and from being discontented with one's lot in life. — Vincent De Paul

[M]ay you be more advanced in the school of solid virtue, which is practiced in an excellent way in the midst of suffering, and which keeps good servants of God in fear when they have nothing to suffer! — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

I am sure that you are the first to do what you teach them. — Vincent De Paul

I would rather him to bear patiently with it than to put himself in danger of a greater evil. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

The vine-stock bears fruit as long as it is attached to its stem; apart from that, no. — Vincent De Paul

Remember the maxim of the Romans which states that by union and counsel we can achieve anything. — Vincent De Paul

If you no longer have any income, you will not be neglected-you will not starve to death ... We panic at first, but God does not always allow the evil that is feared to happen. — Vincent De Paul

It will be easier for you to bring him around to where you want him more by gentleness and patience than by being too uncompromising. — Vincent De Paul

It is difficult to master one's feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs — 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! — Vincent De Paul

[I]n order to raise a soul to the highest perfection, He allows it to pass through dryness, brambles, and combats, causing it thereby to honor the times of weariness in the life of His Son, Our Lord, who suffered various kinds of anguish and abandonment. — Vincent De Paul

[N]or should you move so fast! The works of God do not proceed in that way; they come about of themselves, and those He does not create soon perish. — Vincent De Paul

[T]hose persons who console you today may humiliate you tomorrow. — Vincent De Paul

Practice humility and patience. — Vincent De Paul

If you do not see any good in these persons, then say nothing, but if you do see some, speak about it to honor God in them because all good proceeds from Him. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

Experience teaches that what is feasible at the beginning is sometimes harmful as things go on, or subject to troublesome inconveniences — Vincent De Paul

[E]xcess in the practice of virtue is no less imperfect than the lack of it. — Vincent De Paul

Oh! how happy the man of means who uses his wealth and his life for the greater glory of God, from whom he has received them! — Vincent De Paul

You know that you yourself are not always in the same state. If you are exact today, closely united to God, and a consolation to the whole house, tomorrow you will be out of sorts, indolent, and a source of affliction to others. Then you will need their support, as you have supported them. — Vincent De Paul

There are some persons who are content with everything and others who are scarcely content with anything. These latter need patience to bear with themselves. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

It is a good sign when He burdens us with [crosses] and we carry them well, but woe to the person who runs away from them, for he will find such heavy ones that they will overwhelm him. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

But the blessed Bishop of Geneva taught his nuns another kind of prayer, which even the sick can make: to remain peacefully in the presence of God, manifesting our needs to Him with no other mental effort, like a poor person who uncovers his sores and by this means is more effective in inciting passers-by to do him some good than if he wore himself out trying to convince them of his need. — Vincent De Paul

I thank God for having given the Company subjects who belong more to Him than to themselves, and who serve the neighbor at the risk of their lives! They are like unrefined gold, which becomes visible in fire and which would otherwise remain hidden under ordinary actions and sometimes under faults and failings. — Vincent De Paul

Experience has shown us that virtue puts down only shallow roots in those who are there for just a short time — Vincent De Paul

If we divested ourselves, once and for all, of all self-will, we would then be in a position of being sure of doing the Will of God, in which the angels find all their delight and men all their happiness. — Vincent De Paul

With whose imperfections will you bear, and what insult are you capable of enduring, if a thoughtless word from your own Superior is unbearable? — Vincent De Paul

It will be most pleasing to O[ur] L[ord] if you husband your strength in order to serve Him better. — Vincent De Paul

If your men grow weary of the work or balk at obedience, you must bear with them. Get what you can gently from them. True, it is good to be firm in attaining your goal, but use appropriate, attractive, and agreeable means. — Vincent De Paul

Without [firmness] I see the majority of Communities that are lax reach that state because of the excessive leniency of Superiors. So, be firm, Monsieur. — Vincent De Paul

You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which embraces at the same time contemplation and action, as does yours, by God's grace. — Vincent De Paul

So, do not dwell any longer on what you are, but consider Our Lord close by you and within you, ready to put His hand to the work as soon as you call upon Him for help, and you will see that all will go well. — Vincent De Paul

With God's help, you will continue to succeed in your leadership and in your duties, because Our Lord's work is accomplished not so much by the multitude of workers as by the fidelity of the small number whom He calls. — Vincent De Paul

The wisest persons, surprised by some passion, often say things they later regret. — Vincent De Paul

God allows us to give rise to the practice of two beautiful virtues: perseverance, which leads us to attain the goal, and constancy, which helps us to overcome difficulties. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

God has great plans for you, directed towards helping you do what Jesus Christ did when He was on earth. This requires you do resist temptation vigorously, with special confidence in the assistance of His Divine Goodness. Courage then, Monsieur. Be faithful to Him, and the Divine Goodness will be favorable to you. — Vincent De Paul

Naturally, everyone loves his freedom, but we must beware of this as of a broad road that leads to perdition. — Vincent De Paul

[I]t is His good pleasure that we remain always in the holy joy of His love ... — Vincent De Paul

[T]hese [ideas] are only suggestions of the evil spirit who, to jeopardize your salvation, suggests to you extraordinary works that are beyond your strength, under the fine pretext of practicing, on your own, the spiritual and corporal works of mercy ... — Vincent De Paul

To this end, we should help and support one another and strive for peace and union among ourselves. This is the wine that cheers and strengthens travelers along the narrow path of Jesus Christ. — Vincent De Paul

[A] truly humble spirit humbles itself as much amid honors as amid insults, acting like the honeybee which makes its honey equally as well from the dew that falls on the wormwood as from that which falls on the rose. — Vincent De Paul

Foresight is good when it is subject to the latter, but it becomes excessive when we are in a hurry to avoid something we fear. We rely more on our own efforts than on those of his Providence, and we think we are doing a great deal by anticipating His orders by our own disorder, which causes us to rely on human prudence rather than on his Word. — Vincent De Paul

Peace is worth far more than anything they might take from you. — Vincent De Paul

Indeed, good is not good if one does not suffer in doing it. — Vincent De Paul

The angels would become incarnate if they could, so that they might come to earth to imitate the example and virtues of the Son of God! — Vincent De Paul

[L]ove is inventive to infinity. — Vincent De Paul

Put your trust in Him and following His example, always act humbly, graciously, and in good faith. — Vincent De Paul

In the name of Our Lord, Monsieur, do all you can to regain your health and take good care of it so that you can serve God and the poor for a longer time. This moderate care does not preclude the obligation we have of generously risking our lives when the salvation of our neighbor is concerned. — Vincent De Paul

I am the only wretch who keeps on heaping new iniquities and abominations on myself. O Monsieur, how merciful God is to put up with me with so much patience and forbearance, and how weak and miserable I am to abuse his mercies so greatly! — Vincent De Paul

God always gives a great blessing to humble beginnings than to those that start with the chiming of bells. — Vincent De Paul

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. — Vincent De Paul

We must be firm but not rough in our guidance and avoid an insipid kind of meekness, which is ineffective. We will learn from Our Lord how our meekness should always be accompanied by humility and grace so as to attract hearts to Him and not cause anyone to turn away from Him. — Vincent De Paul

In the name of God, Monsieur, let us have greater confidence in Him than we do; let us allow Him to steer our little bark; if it is useful and pleasing to Him, He will save it from shipwreck. — Vincent De Paul

God's affairs are accomplished gradually and almost imperceptibly and His spirit is neither violent nor tempestuous. — Vincent De Paul

Remember, Monsieur, that the downfall of most Communities comes from the cowardice of Superiors in not holding firm and in not purging them of the troublesome and incorrigible. — Vincent De Paul

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! — Vincent De Paul

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

It is no wonder you are tempted; on the contrary, it would be something new if you were not, because man's life is nothing but temptation, and no one is exempt from it, especially those who have given themselves to God; his own Son even passed through this trial. But if it is necessary for everyone, it is also a source of merit for those to whom God grants the grace of turning all things to good, as you do. — Vincent De Paul

God has granted me today a very particular fondness for requesting of Him that same virtue of ever choosing the worst and that which is contrary to my own liking. — Vincent De Paul

When in Rome, you must do as the Romans do and accept the local customs, if they are not immoral. — Vincent De Paul

Furthermore, the apostolic life does not exclude contemplation but encompasses it and profits by it to know better the eternal truths it must proclaim — Vincent De Paul

Omit nothing which can advance his work, and not blame others for the delay. — Vincent De Paul

Three can do more than ten when Our Lord puts His hand to things, and He always does so when He takes away the means of doing otherwise. — Vincent De Paul

In a word, we are like the servants of the centurion in the Gospel with regard to the bishops, insofar as when they say to us: go, we are obliged to go; if they say: come, we are obliged to come; do that, and we are obliged to do it. — Vincent De Paul

The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it. — Vincent De Paul

In this way, through experience they will be formed adequately, will be encouraged, and will be capable of rendering service to God. — Vincent De Paul