--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not those who commit the least…" description: "\"It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, the greatest love,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png" --- # It is not those who commit the least faults who are the… ![“It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, the greatest love, who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves, and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping.” quote by Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png) > “It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, the greatest love, who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves, and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping.” [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True holiness is measured by courage, generosity, and love, not by the absence of faults; it requires bold self‑overcoming despite fear. **In simple terms:** Holiness is about brave love, not faultlessness. Key Takeaway Cultivate courageous love and self‑improvement. Themes holiness courage generosity love self‑overcoming Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - self‑discipline - mental health - leadership Key Concepts Christian ethics virtue ethics spiritual growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice bold love when afraid? - What self‑limits must you confront? A Different Perspective Even the most virtuous can falter without humility and support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Greatest love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-love/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) ## Related quotes > [To move on the path of success , first put efforts to overcome blocks in your mind, release negative emotions, and find those hidden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/to-move-on-the-path-of-success-first-put-efforts-to-overcome-blocks/) Senoraroy > [“They looked at me, and were so full of delight in the pleasure they were giving me that some final thread of resistance gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-maxwell/they-looked-at-me-and-were-so-full-of-delight-in-the-pleasure-they/) [William Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-maxwell/) > [Whether you be man or woman you will never do anything in this world without courage. 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Donaldson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-donaldson/) > [“Courage is the greatest warrior; fear is the greatest false prophet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/courage-is-the-greatest-warrior-fear-is-the-greatest-false-prophet/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/courage-is-the-greatest-of-all-virtues-because-if-you-haven-t-courage/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/you-will-never-do-anything-in-this-world-without-courage-it-is-the/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Courage is always greatest when blended with meekness; intellectual ability is most admirable when it sparkles in the setting of a modest self-distrust; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-hubbel-chapin/courage-is-always-greatest-when-blended-with-meekness-intellectual/) [Edwin Hubbel Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-hubbel-chapin/) > [It is a great thing to see physical courage, and greater still to see moral courage, but the greatest to see of all is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/it-is-a-great-thing-to-see-physical-courage-and-greater-still-to-see/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Courage is the greatest virtue because it guarantees all the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/courage-is-the-greatest-virtue-because-it-guarantees-all-the-rest/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [It requires greater courage to preserve inner freedom, to move on in one's inward journey into new realms, than to stand defiantly for outer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/it-requires-greater-courage-to-preserve-inner-freedom-to-move-on-in/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [“Therefore, it was necessary to face up to the full amount of suffering, trying to keep moments of weakness and furtive tears to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/therefore-it-was-necessary-to-face-up-to-the-full-amount-of-suffering/) [Viktor E. 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The bravest man is who can see the world without the barrier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/in-this-world-the-greatest-courage-is-to-drop-the-mind-aside-the/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [...at times, the greatest courage of all is to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-clement-davies/at-times-the-greatest-courage-of-all-is-to-live/) [David Clement-Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-clement-davies/) > [The greatest courage you can have is the courage to admit your mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/the-greatest-courage-you-can-have-is-the-courage-to-admit-your/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) ## More by Saint Francis de Sales > [Flowers often grow more beautifully on dung-hills than in gardens that look beautifully kept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/flowers-often-grow-more-beautifully-on-dung-hills-than-in-gardens/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [Friendship requires great communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/friendship-requires-great-communication/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [The thoughts of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the beloved, their hearts are filled with passion for it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/the-thoughts-of-those-moved-by-natural-human-love-are-almost/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [It matters little how one begins, provided that he be resolved to go on well, and to end well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/it-matters-little-how-one-begins-provided-that-he-be-resolved-to-go/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [Those who love to be feared fear to be loved, and they themselves are more afraid than anyone, for whereas other men fear only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/those-who-love-to-be-feared-fear-to-be-loved-and-they-themselves-are/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [Go to your confessor; open your heart to him; display to him all the recesses of your soul; take the advice that he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/go-to-your-confessor-open-your-heart-to-him-display-to-him-all-the/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [It is better to remain silent than to speak the truth ill-humoredly, and spoil an excellent dish by covering it with bad sauce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/it-is-better-to-remain-silent-than-to-speak-the-truth-ill-humoredly/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/friendships-begun-in-this-world-will-be-taken-up-again-never-to-be/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [And when children begin to use their reason, fathers and mothers should take great pains to fill their hearts with the fear of God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/and-when-children-begin-to-use-their-reason-fathers-and-mothers/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [Pride dies 20 minutes after death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/pride-dies-20-minutes-after-death/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/to-be-pleased-at-correction-and-reproofs-shows-that-one-loves-the/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [If you would fall into any extreme, let it be on the side of gentleness. The human mind is so constructed that it resists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/if-you-would-fall-into-any-extreme-let-it-be-on-the-side-of/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [One single act done with aridity of spirit is worth more than many done with feelings of devotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/one-single-act-done-with-aridity-of-spirit-is-worth-more-than-many/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/all-of-us-can-attain-to-christian-virtue-and-holiness-no-matter-in/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/we-must-visit-jesus-in-the-blessed-sacrament-a-hundred-thousand-times/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) [Explore all 185 Saint Francis de Sales quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) ## More Commit quotes > [I'm Catholic and I can't commit suicide, but I plan to drink myself to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-m-catholic-and-i-can-t-commit-suicide-but-i-plan-to-drink-myself-to/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/progress-is-the-injustice-each-generation-commits-with-regard-to-its/) [Emile M. 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I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giancarlo-esposito/i-like-to-always-wash-the-slate-clean-and-reinvigorate-my-spirit-to/) [Giancarlo Esposito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giancarlo-esposito/) > [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [You get a script and you love it. You find a director that you trust, and it becomes all about how do I commit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-der-beek/you-get-a-script-and-you-love-it-you-find-a-director-that-you-trust/) [James Van Der Beek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-der-beek/) > [Ok, look. I'm honest. Girl I can't lie I miss you. 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Not hit and quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhecky/love-and-commit-not-hit-and-quit/) [Jhecky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhecky/) Browse all 1,824 Commit quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage, the greatest generosity, the greatest love, who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves, and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saint Francis de Sales" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-faults-who-are-the-most-holy-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Commit" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-faults-who-are-the-most-holy-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58d/saint-francis-de-sales-2108_commit_it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-fau_1111692.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy, but those who have the greatest courage…” — Saint Francis de Sales", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Saint Francis de Sales", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is not those who commit...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-faults-who-are-the-most-holy-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/it-is-not-those-who-commit-the-least-faults-who-are-the-most-holy-but/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```