Best Jean Vanier Sayings
- People cannot accept their own evil if they do not at the same time feel loved, respected and trusted. Accept
- If we are to grow in love, the prisons of our egoism must be unlocked. This implies suffering, constant effort and repeated choices. Choices
- [...] We have to realize that this wound [of loneliness] is inherent in the human condition and that what we have to do is walk… Accept
- A growing community must integrate three elements: a life of silent prayer, a life of service and above all of listening to the poor, and… All
- A Christian community should do as Jesus did: propose and not impose. Its attraction must lie in the radiance cast by the love of brothers. Attraction
- We discover that we are at the same time very insignificant and very important, because each of our actions is preparing the humanity of tomorrow;… Action
- Look at your own poverty welcome it cherish it don't be afraid share your death because thus you will share your love and your life Afraid
- I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes. Difficulties
- The poor are always prophetic. As true prophets always point out, they reveal God's design. That is why we should take time to listen to… Afraid
- Many people are good at talking about what they are doing, but in fact do little. Others do a lot but don't talk about it;… Action
- One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When… Community
- Love doesn't mean doing extraordinary or heroic things. It means knowing how to do ordinary things with tenderness. Extraordinary
- When people love each other, they are content with very little. When we have light and joy in our hearts, we don't need material wealth.… Approach
- Community is a sign that love is possible in a materialistic world where people so often either ignore or fight each other. It is a… Community
- We have to remind ourselves constantly that we are not saviours. We are simply a tiny sign, among thousands of others, that love is possible,… Among
- At the heart of the celebration, there are the poor. If [they] are excluded, it is not longer a celebration. [...] A celebration must always… Celebration
- Every human activity can be put at the service of the divine and of love. We should all exercise our gift to build community. Activity
- It is only when we stand up, with all our failings and sufferings, and try to support others rather than withdraw into ourselves, that we… All
- Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness Accept
- To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth and their importance. Beauty
- True peace can rarely be imposed from the outside; it must be born within and between communities through meetings and dialogue and then carried outward. Born
- Peace is the fruit of love, a love that is also justice. But to grow in love requires work -- hard work. And it can… Bring
- When we love and respect people, revealing to them their value, they can begin to come out from behind the walls that protect them. Begin
- We can be seduced...by powerful political groups that promise more wealth and lower taxes. Those with power can use clever, psychological tricks and play upon… Attract
- [Happiness] comes when we choose to be who we are, to be ourselves, at this present moment in our lives. Choose