The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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If the spiritual attraction comes from God, it will without a doubt lead one to obedience.

Blessed are the obedient, for God will never suffer them to go astray.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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On Gentleness

The Spirit of God, gentle, ever sweet, is in the soft refreshing zephyrs, not in the whirlwind, or the tempest.

Nothing is so strong as gentleness-nothing so loving and gentle as strength.

Nothing appeases an enraged elephant so much as the sight of a little lamb.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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Who can be angry with those whose only weapons are pearls and diamonds?

The human mind is so constituted that it hardens itself against severity, but loving-kindness makes it pliable.

It often happens in the sittings of parliament, that the ushers crying out "silence" make more noise than those whom they command to be silent.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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It takes more oil than vinegar to make a good salad.

When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.

He who can preserve gentleness amid pain, and peace amid the worry and multitude of affairs is almost perfect.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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It is always dangerous to take strong remedies.

Many commit a great fault who are annoyed at having been annoyed, vexed at having been vexed.

All is gentle to the gentle, and all is holy to the holy.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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When we discover that our lute is out of tune, we must neither break the strings nor throw the instrument aside.

The prayer which is made against anger, when it is present and pressing us, must be made gently, tranquilly, without and violence.

I recommend to you above all the spirit of gentleness.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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On Fidelity

As a plant often transplanted can never take root, so the soul that transplants her heart from design to design cannot do well.

We must love the holy will of God in little and in great changes.

He who watches out for his pennies and farthings, will be still more careful regarding crowns and pounds.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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It is a little thing to please God in what pleases us: filial fidelity requires that we will to please Him in what does not please us.

To love God in sugar---little children would do as much; but to love Him in wormwood, that is the test of our fidelity.

Those who wish to live happily in fidelity must accustom themselves to live according to reason, rule, and obedience, not according to their own inclinations.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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As to your way, God, who has guided you up to the present, will guide you to the end.

Most of the faults committed by good people arise from their not sufficiently keeping a steadfast recollection of the presence of God.

We have too many aims and designs: we would have the merits of Calvary and the consolations of Thabor both together.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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EQUILIBRE SURNATUREL

Moderation is always good, except in that of loving God.

This is the height of virtue; to correct immoderation moderately.

On Spiritual Training

He who aspires to Heavenly love, must sedulously reserve for it his leisure, his spirit and his affections.

To train a young horse to his paces, and to make him steady under his saddle and bridle, takes whole years. Great fires are increased by wind, but little ones are extinguished if they be not well protected from it.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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Great fires are increased by the wind, but little ones are extinguished, if they be not well protected from it.

Nothing is more bitter than fruit that is unripe, but when it is preserved, it is sweet and very tasty.

The man who knows best how to control his natural inclinations is more open to supernatural inspirations.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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A life of lower level may be gained in a year, but the perfection to which we aspire cannot come till after many years.

Always be correcting yourself of something.

Do as the bees do; suck honey from all flowers and herbs.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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The enemy is glad to make you lose times when he cannot make you lose eternity.

A person should never omit his personal exercises and the common rules of virtue unless he sees the will of God on the other side.

We must not strive to practice many exercises at once, for the enemy often tries to make us undertake many designs, to the end that, overwhelmed with the multiplicity of business, we may accomplish nothing.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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There are all sorts of herbs in a garden, and although there may be one there more excellent than all the others, it does not mean that we are to put no other into the pot.

The easiest ways do not always lead us the most directly nor the most safety.

Observe God's ways and not your own!
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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Re: The Spiritual Maxims of St. Francis de Sales

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True love scarcely goes by method.

Devotion has no wish to drag others in its train, but simply, humbly and calmly pursues its own road.

Would you walk in earnest toward devotion? Seek some good man who will guide you; this is the greatest of all words of advice.
Devotion to the souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of faith, should merit us Heaven. de Sales
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