Material things Quote by St. Francis de Sales
““There is a wide difference between having poison and being poisoned. All apothecaries have poisons ready for special uses, but they are not consequently poisoned, because the poison is only in their shop, not in themselves; and so you many possess riches without being poisoned by them, so long as they are in your house or purse only, and not in your heart. It is the Christian's privilege to be rich in material things , and poor in attachment to them.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Introduction to the Devout Life, 1609
We can possess material wealth without being controlled by it if we keep it external to our heart.
In simple terms: Riches are safe when not attached to the heart.
Key Takeaway
Guard your heart against attachment.
Themes
wealth
attachment
spirituality
Mood
reflective
serene
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal finance
- spiritual practice
- career planning
- relationship counseling
Key Concepts
Christianity
detachment
materialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep possessions from shaping your identity?
- What habits protect your inner freedom?
A Different Perspective
Wealth can still corrupt if not consciously managed.
![“We must unceasingly ask for [perseverance] by making use of the means which God has taught us for obtaining it: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, frequenting the sacraments, association with good companions, and hearing and reading Holy Scripture.” quote by St. Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68f/st-francis-de-sales-12228_patience_we-must-unceasingly-ask-for-perseverance_71119.jpg)
