Quotes from Vincent de Paul

I hope that this man can be won over by your bearing charitably with him, advising him prudently, and praying for him. This is what I do for your family in general and for you in particular.

All beginnings are somewhat strange; but we must have patience, and little by little, we shall find things, which at first were obscure, becoming clearer.

Practice humility and patience.

There are some persons who are content with everything and others who are scarcely content with anything. These latter need patience to bear with themselves.

To this end, we should help and support one another and strive for peace and union among ourselves. This is the wine that cheers and strengthens travelers along the narrow path of Jesus Christ.

God allows us to give rise to the practice of two beautiful virtues: perseverance, which leads us to attain the goal, and constancy, which helps us to overcome difficulties.

Let us allow God to act; He brings things to completion when we least expect it.

God always gives a great blessing to humble beginnings than to those that start with the chiming of bells.

do not be surprised by your trials, since the Son of God has chosen them for our salvation.

The works of God are not accomplished when we wish them, but whenever it pleases Him.

Who will excuse us before God for the loss of such a great number of people, who could be saved by the slight assistance we could give them?

Things arrange themselves with time. Only God can have everything to His liking; His servants should act as Our Lord did.

And what are we doing if we are not doing God's Will?

God uproots the vine that He Himself has not planted.

Let us reflect that we shall always do God's Will and He will do ours when we carry out that of our Superiors.

We must endeavor to have God reign sovereignly in us, and then in others. The trouble with me is that I take more care to have Him reign in others than in myself.

If after so much effort and prayer, the matter is not successful, it will be a clear sign that God does not will it.

Good works are often spoiled by moving too quickly. . . . The good which God desires is accomplished almost by itself, without our even thinking of it.

Never betray His principles for any reason whatsoever, and take great care not to spoil God's affairs by too much haste in them.

In the name of God, Monsieur, let us have greater confidence in Him than we do; let us allow Him to steer our little bark; if it is useful and pleasing to Him, He will save it from shipwreck.

In this way, through experience they will be formed adequately, will be encouraged, and will be capable of rendering service to God.

God has seen fit that, since our services are useful to many persons, everyone approves them, but only when they are carried out in the spirit of Our Lord.

May God be pleased to make it known to you, and fill you increasingly with His Spirit, so that through you it may be poured into the souls you guide, and your own soul may be more greatly sanctified!

I have never come away from you without reflecting that the Spirit of God and His holy workings reside in you.