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…

— Saint 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,…

— Saint Francis de Sales

Be not miserable about what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father, who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow.

— 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

Flowers often grow more beautifully on dung-hills than in gardens that look beautifully kept.

— Saint Francis de Sales

Those who pray from the heart do not think about the prayer they are saying, but about the God to whom they…

— 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…

— 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…

— Saint Francis de Sales

Do everything calmly and peacefully. Do as much as you can as well as you can. Strive to see God in all…

— Saint Francis de Sales

Strive to see God in all things without exception. Do not smother yourself...If you start smothering yourself with a host of cares…

— Saint Francis de Sales

Go in all simplicity; do not be anxious to win a quiet mind, and it will be all the quieter. Do not…

— 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…

— Saint Francis de Sales

Examine from time to time what are the dominant passions of your soul, and having ascertained this, mold your life, so that…

— 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…

— Saint Francis de Sales

Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean, do not be disturbed because of your imperfections, and always rise…

— Saint 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…

— 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…

— Saint Francis de Sales

I have the same opinion of dances that physicians have of mushrooms: the best of them are good for nothing.

— 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…

— 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

Many who confess their venial sins out of custom and concern for order but without thought of amendment remain burdened with them…

— Saint Francis de Sales

We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our…

— Saint Francis de Sales

You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you…

— Saint Francis De Sales

It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the…

— Saint Francis de Sales

While extremely sensitive as to the slightest approach to slander, you must also guard against an extreme into which some people fall,…

— Saint Francis de Sales