Saint Francis de Sales
Saint Francis de Sales
Francis de Sales, CO OM OFM Cap.was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God...
NationalitySwiss
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth21 August 1567
CountrySwitzerland
There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of divine love - every man works his oar voluntarily!
Those who love to be feared fear to be loved, and they themselves are more afraid than anyone, for whereas other men fear only them, they fear everyone.
The truly patient man neither complains of his hard lot nor desires to be pitied by others. He speaks of his sufferings in a natural, true, and sincere way, without murmuring, complaining, or exaggerating them.
Faith fills a man with love for the beauty of its truth, with faith in the truth of its beauty
To love our neighbor in charity is to love God in man.
Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them.
Nothing is more like a wise man than a fool who holds his tongue.
We are sometimes so busy being good angels that we neglect to be good men and women.
Humility makes our lives acceptable to God, meekness makes us acceptable to men.
Souls do not wish to be bullied, but gently brought back; such is the nature of man.
So many have come to me that I might serve them, leaving me no time to think of myself. However, I assure you that I do feel deep down within me, God be praised.
There was never an angry man that thought his anger unjust.
Through devotion, your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the prince more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable.
The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them.