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We must be firm but not rough in our guidance and avoid an insipid kind of meekness, which is ineffective.

Vincent de Paul

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Vincent de Paul
Age: 79 †
Born: 1581
Born: April 24
Died: 1660
Died: September 27
Catholic Priest
Priest
Avoid
Values
Must
Ineffective
Kind
Insipid
Meekness
Guidance
Rough
Firm

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Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.
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We must be full reservoirs in order to let our water spill out without becoming empty, and we must possess the spirit with which we want them to be animated, for no one can give what he does not have.
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Never betray His principles for any reason whatsoever, and take great care not to spoil God's affairs by too much haste in them.
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In God's name, Monsieur, let us remain indifferent let us strive to be equally attached to whatever obedience marks out for us, be it agreeable or disagreeable. By the grace of God, we belong to Him what else should we desire except to please Him?
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We must hold as an irrefutable maxim that the difficulties we have with our neighbor arise more from our immortified moods than from anything else.
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It is a maxim of ours to work in the service of the people, with the good pleasure of the pastors, and never to act contrary to their wishes. And, at the opening and closing of each mission, we get their blessing in a spirit of dependence.
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[L]et us work to rid ourselves of our attacks of over-zealousness especially when it offends against respect, esteem, and charity.
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Furthermore, the apostolic life does not exclude contemplation but encompasses it and profits by it to know better the eternal truths it must proclaim
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[T]hese losses of the Church in the past hundred years give us reason to fear in the present misfortune that in another hundred years we may lose the Church entirely in Europe. So, keeping this fear in mind, blessed are those who cooperate in extending the Church elsewhere.
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All comes at the proper time to him who knows how to wait.
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. . . . [P]ersons who love very much, easily take offense at trifles. No doubt your excessive affection for me makes you a little diffident about mine. But there is no harm done I hope you will soon be over this slight jealousy and be convinced that nothing can change the genuine affection Our Lord has given me for you
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It is true that zeal is the soul of the virtues, but most certainly, Monsieur, it must be according to knowledge, as Saint Paul says that means: according to knowledge of experience. And because young people ordinarily do not possess this experiential knowledge, their zeal goes to excess, especially in those who have a natural asperity.
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. . . [Y]ou must understand that we have always considered the writing of books a hindrance to our work, and that for this reason the custom was not to be introduced into the Company. However, since no rule, however general, does not have some exception, we shall see whether it is advisable to have yours printed.
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Far from being a bad thing to seek advice, you must, on the contrary, do so when the matter is of any importance, or when we cannot come to a clear decision on our own.
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That's what our Rules engage us to do, to help poor persons, our lords and masters.
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Remember, Monsieur, that Saint Augustine says that a person who does not obey the doctors is doing his best to kill himself.
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Experience has shown us that virtue puts down only shallow roots in those who are there for just a short time
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We cannot better assure our eternal happiness than by living and dying in the service of the poor, in the arms of Providence, and with genuine renouncement of ourselves in order to follow Jesus Christ.
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There is nothing good that does not meet with opposition, and it should not be valued any less because it encounters objections.
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One beautiful diamond is worth more than a mountain of stones, and one virtuous act of acquiescence and submission is better than an abundance of good works done for others.
Vincent de Paul