Francis de Sales, was a bishop of Geneva who lived from 21 August 1567 to 28 December 1622, is regarded as a saint by the Catholic Church. He rose to prominence for his strong faith and his kind response to the Protestant Reformation-related religious strife in his country. In addition, he is well known for his writings on the subject of spiritual guidance and development, particularly the Treatise on the Love of God and the Introduction to the Devout Life.
61 Saint Francis de Sales Quotes
- “Those who love to be feared fear to be loved.”
2. “Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”
3. “Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”
4. “The measure of love is to love without measure.”
5. “Have patience with all things. But, first of all with yourself.”
6. “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”
7. “If He is with me I care not where I go.”
8 “Have contempt for contempt.”
9. “Humility consists in not esteeming ourselves above other men, and in not seeking to be esteemed above them.”
10. “It is a fact that people are always well aware of what is due them. Unfortunately, they remain oblivious of what they owe to others.”
Saint Francis de Sales Quotes on Inner Peace
11. “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.
12. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
13. “Be who you are and be that well.”
14. “Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.”
15. “He will unfailingly be pleased with our patience and take note of our diligence and perseverance.”
16. “God is merciful to those who want to love Him and who have placed their hopes in Him.”
17. “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.”
18. “There is no artifice as good and desirable as simplicity.”
19. “One single day of devotion is worth more than a thousand years of worldly life.”
20. “Little deeds that proceed from charity please God and have their place among meritorious acts.”
Saint Francis de Sales Quotes on Humility
21. “It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is, and how much it wins hearts.”
22. “Do not wish to be anything except what you are.”
23. “Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself, do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage.”
24. “A man who can own pearls does not bother about shells, and those who aspire to virtue do not trouble themselves over honors.”
25. “Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way. Laugh in its face and know that you are in the hands of God.”
26. “Don’t lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
27. “Frequently give up some of your property by giving it with a generous heart to the poor. It is true that God will repay us not only in the next world but even in this.”
28. “Grow where you are planted.”
29. “During the night we must wait for the light.”
30. “You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.”
Saint Francis de Sales Quotes on Patience
31. “Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God.”
32. “Have patience to walk with short steps until you have wings to fly.”
33. “Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.”
34. “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.”
35. “There will be nothing which the fullness of His love does not replenish.”
36. “We have freedom to do good or evil; yet to make choice of evil, is not to use, but to abuse our freedom.”
37. “To examine whether your heart pleases Him is not necessary, but rather whether His Heart pleases you.”
38. “Paradise is not obtained by desires, but by deeds.”
39. “Grace is never wanting. God always gives sufficient grace to whoever is willing to receive it.”
Saint Francis de Sales Quotes on Prayer
40. “There is nothing small in the service of God.”
41. “Be patient, you are in good company. Our Lord Himself, our Lady, the apostles, and countless saints, both men and women, have been poor.”
42. “A judicious silence is always better than truth spoken without charity.”
43. “God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.”
44. “Many would be willing to have afflictions provided that they not be inconvenienced by them.”
45. “Let God be the air in which your heart breathes at ease.”
46. “There is no better means of attainment to the spiritual life Than by continually beginning again.”
47. “Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.”
48. “This unresting anxiety is the greatest evil which can happen to the soul, sin only excepted.”
49. “Contrition and confession are in themselves so lovely and sweet-savoured, that they efface the ugliness and disperse the ill savour of sin.”
50. “Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.”
Saint Francis de Sales Quotes To Live By
51. “God is present everywhere, and every person is his work.”
52. “Certainly all virtues are very dear to God, but humility pleases Him above all the others, and it seems that He can refuse it nothing.”
53. “Doing little things with a strong desire to please God makes them really great.”
54. “If we walk steadily and faithfully. God will lift us up to greater things.”
55. “Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself.”
56. “Do not attempt to combat by argument the little temptations that arise; instead, simply bring your heart back to Jesus Christ crucified.”
57. “It is right that you should begin again every day. There is no better way to complete the spiritual life than to be ever beginning it over again.”
58. “When human aid fails us, all is not wanting; for God takes over and takes care of us by His special Providence.”
59. “You can attract more bees with a spoonful of sugar than a cupful of vinegar.”
60. “What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience”
61. “Every morning prepare your soul for a tranquil day.”
62. “Stretch out your hand to Him like a little child to his father so that He may lead you on.”
63. “We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.”
64. “I have made a pact with my tongue, not to speak when my heart is disturbed.”
65. “For every great temptation, there will be many small ones. Wolves and bears are more dangerous than flies, but we are bothered most by flies.”
66. “Learn to see God in the details of your life, for He is everywhere.”
Additional Read: The Life Story of St. Francis de Sales (Biography of Francis de Sales)