Wisdom Quotes by Vincent de Paul

[A] sick mind cannot be cured by the sheer force of persuasion.

— Vincent de Paul

Indeed, good is not good if one does not suffer in doing it.

— Vincent de Paul

...cast from your heart the bitterness...

— Vincent de Paul

Fear not; calm will follow the storm, and perhaps soon.

— Vincent de Paul

... I am sure that you are the first to do what you teach them.

— Vincent de Paul

It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize.

— Vincent de Paul

[P]resent misfortune presupposes good luck in the future.

— Vincent de Paul

I cannot think of the results of your labors without shame at the little we do.

— 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

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

— Vincent de Paul

Naturally, everyone is disheartened by sharp reprimands, and by the most amiable corrections as well, if they are frequent, immoderate, or given…

— Vincent de Paul

Nature makes trees put down deep roots before having them bear fruit, and even this is done gradually.

— 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

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

— Vincent de Paul

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

— Vincent de Paul

Peace is worth more than all worldly possessions; in addition, God rewards it even in this life.

— 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…

— Vincent de Paul

We should take as a maxim never to be surprised at current difficulties, no more than at a passing breeze, because with…

— 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…

— 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…

— Vincent de Paul

Do not be afraid of undertaking too much of what you can do without coming and going; but fear only the thought…

— 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…

— Vincent de Paul

Far from being a bad thing to seek advice, you must, on the contrary, do so when the matter is of any…

— Vincent de Paul

[I]f the gentleness of your spirit needs a dash of vinegar, borrow a little from Our Lord's spirit. O Mademoiselle, how well…

— Vincent de Paul

Let each of us accept the truth of the following statement and try to make it our most fundamental principle: Christ's teaching…

— Vincent de Paul

Use gentle methods to get whatever good you can from priests and monks who are slaves, as well as from merchants and…

— Vincent de Paul

I have heard that M. Guesdon is dictating lessons to his seminarians. This is contrary to the custom of the Company and…

— 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…

— Vincent de Paul

Is it not better to fail after asking advice than to risk acting on our own?

— Vincent de Paul

...a great good is worth being long desired.

— Vincent de Paul

. . . [T]hose persons who console you today may humiliate you tomorrow.

— Vincent de Paul

People are made in such a way that even the holiest ones are liable to offend one another.

— Vincent de Paul

Just as stinginess is blameworthy, so is facility in paying more for things than they are worth...

— 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

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

— Vincent de Paul

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

— Vincent de Paul

You should not open your mouth except to express gratitude for benefits you have received, and never to mention your discontent.

— Vincent de Paul

There are good, God-fearing persons who still fall into certain faults, and it is better to bear with them than to be…

— 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

Make an effort to serve good bread and good meat and not to sell the better wine so as to serve what…

— Vincent de Paul