“In community, people let down barriers; appearances and masks disappear. But this is not easy. Many people have built up their personalities precisely by hiding their wounded hearts behind the barriers of independence and of the attitude, "I know, you… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
“Community as caring . . . So many people enter groups in order to develop a certain form of spirituality or to acquire knowledge about the things of God and of humanity. But that is not community; it is a… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
When we start helping the weak and the poor to rise everyone will begin to change. Those who have power and riches will start… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
...Individualistic material progress and the desire to gain prestige by coming out on top have taken over from the sense of fellowship, compassion and… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
To invite others to live with us is a sign that we aren't afraid, that we have a treasure of truth and of peace… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
People are longing to rediscover true community. We have had enough of loneliness, independence and competition. — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
The person in misery does not need a look that judges and criticizes but a comforting presence that brings peace and hope and life… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
All of us have a secret desire to be seen as saints, heroes, martyrs. We are afraid to be children, to be ourselves. — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
To be free is to put justice, truth and service to others over and above our personal gain or our need for recognition, power,… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
If we love (the poor) people, we want to identify with them and share with them. — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
“Sympathies and antipathies . . . Human friendships can very quickly become a club of mediocrities, enclosed in mutual flattery and approval, preventing people… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
A community is only a community when the majority of its members are making the transition from 'the community for myself' to 'myself for… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
Each person is sacred, no matter what his or her culture, religion, handicap, or fragility. Each person is created in God’s image; each one… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings,… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
Each human being, however small or weak, has something to bring to humanity. As we start to really get to know others, as we… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
“Have patience . . . We are not the masters of our own feelings of attraction or revulsion; these come from places in ourselves… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
The people with the best sense of what is essential to a community, of what gives and maintains its spirit, are often doing very… — Jean Vanier Copy Share Image
![“The people with the best sense of what is essential to a community, of what gives and maintains its spirit, are often doing very humble, manual tasks. It is often the poorest person - the one who has a handica[p, is] ill or old - who is the most prophetic. People who carry responsibility must be…” quote by Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08b/jean-vanier-3367_clarity_the-people-with-the-best-sense-of-what-i_303228.jpg)