Francis de Sales > Quotes

“The measure of love is to love without measure.”
― Francis de Sales

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.”
― Francis de Sales

“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”
― Francis de Sales

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.
Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.
What is anything in life compared to peace of soul?”
― Francis de Sales

“If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show.”
― Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

“Have patience with all things but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.”
― Saint Frances de Sales

“Be who you are and be that well.”
― St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

“The truly patient man neither complains of his hard lot nor desires to be pitied by others. He speaks of his sufferings in a natural, true, and sincere way, without murmuring, complaining, or exaggerating them.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day.
Either he will shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
― Francis de Sales

“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself...do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage.”
― St. Frances de Sales

“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.”
― Saint Francis De Sales

“God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps; and like a good father who holds his child by the hand, He will accommodate His steps to yours and will be content to go no faster than you. Why do you worry?”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me, but in me and I in Him.”
― Francis de Sales

“The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience, and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God's loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations, watching whether you take them as He would desire. Offer up all such occasions to Him, and if sometimes you are put out, and give way to impatience, do not be discouraged, but make haste to regain your lost composure.”
― Francis De Sales

“It is a fact that people are always well aware of what is due them. Unfortunately, they remain oblivious of what they owe to others.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“During the night we must wait for the light.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Fits of anger, vexation,and bitterness against ourselves tend to pride and they spring from no other source than self-love, which is disturbed and upset at seeing that it is imperfect.”
― Francis de Sale

“Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way. Laugh in its face and know that you are in the hands of God.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Examine your heart often to see if it is such toward your neighbor as you would like his to be toward you were you in his place. This is the touchstone of true reason.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“The whole world is not worth one soul.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Certainly all virtues are very dear to God, but humility pleases Him above all the others, and it seems that He can refuse it nothing.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.”
― Francis de Sales

“Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is, and how much it wins hearts.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Do not think that you will be able to succeed in your affairs by your own efforts, but only by the assistance of God; and on setting out, consign yourself to His care, believing that He will do that which will be best for you.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, not even if your whole world seems upset. If you find that you have wandered away from the shelter of God, lead your heart back to Him quietly and simply.”
― St. Francis de Sales

“We all colour devotion according to our own likings and dispositions. One man sets great value on fasting, and believes himself to be leading a very devout life, so long as he fasts rigorously, although the while his heart is full of bitterness;–and while he will not moisten his lips with wine, perhaps not even with water, in his great abstinence, he does not scruple to steep them in his neighbour’s blood, through slander and detraction.”
― Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

“If He is with me I care not where I go.”
― St. Francis de Sales