--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know, Monsieur, that, although the…" description: "\"You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which embraces at ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/vincent-de-paul-1676_action_you-know-monsieur-that-although-the-cont_1011273.png" --- # You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life… ![“You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which embraces at the same time contemplation and action, as does yours, by God's grace.” quote by Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/vincent-de-paul-1676_action_you-know-monsieur-that-although-the-cont_1011273.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/vincent-de-paul-1676_action_you-know-monsieur-that-although-the-cont_1011273.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/vincent-de-paul-1676_action_you-know-monsieur-that-although-the-cont_1011273.png) > “You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which embraces at the same time contemplation and action, as does yours, by God's grace.” [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that a life blending contemplation and action surpasses purely contemplative or active lives. **In simple terms:** Balanced life is superior to single‑focus lives. Key Takeaway Seek harmony between thought and deed. Themes balance spirituality action contemplation Mood inspirational reflective Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - daily work - prayer - community service - personal development Key Concepts theology philosophy virtue ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate contemplation into daily tasks? - What actions reflect your inner values? A Different Perspective Balancing may be difficult in practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Active life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-life/) [Contemplation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplation/) [Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) [Contemplative life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative-life/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [God 's grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace-2/) [God'S Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-grace/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) ## Related quotes > [For in order that man may do well, whether in the works of the active life, or in those of the contemplative life, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/for-in-order-that-man-may-do-well-whether-in-the-works-of-the-active/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare themselves for contemplation in the practice of the active life, while those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/those-who-are-more-adapted-to-the-active-life-can-prepare-themselves/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [In the active life all the vices are first of all to be removed by the practice of good works, so that in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isidore-of-seville/in-the-active-life-all-the-vices-are-first-of-all-to-be-removed-by/) [Isidore of Seville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isidore-of-seville/) > [Man's activity consists in either a making or doing. 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That is my ideal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-live-a-very-secluded-life-a-very-contemplative-life-and-a-very/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Woman's normal occupations in general run counter to creative life, or contemplative life, or saintly life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/woman-s-normal-occupations-in-general-run-counter-to-creative-life-or/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-contemplative-life-is-often-miserable-one-must-act-more-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Vincent de Paul > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [...it is difficult to master one's feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/it-is-difficult-to-master-one-s-feelings-and-be-exact-in-everything/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [ . . . . \[P\]ersons who love very much, easily take offense at trifles. No doubt your excessive affection for me makes you a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/p-ersons-who-love-very-much-easily-take-offense-at-trifles-no-doubt/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [ \[I\]f the gentleness of your spirit needs a dash of vinegar, borrow a little from Our Lord's spirit. 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This is the wine that cheers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/to-this-end-we-should-help-and-support-one-another-and-strive-for/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/it-is-not-easy-to-find-perfect-men-in-whom-there-is-nothing-to/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [In the name of Our Lord, Monsieur, do all you can to regain your health and take good care of it so that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/in-the-name-of-our-lord-monsieur-do-all-you-can-to-regain-your-health/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. 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