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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.

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
Doe
Possess
Give
Charity
Empty
Without
Becoming
Must
Full
Reservoirs
Giving
Water
Spill
Spirit
Spills
Order
Animated

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Laws must never be made compatible with crimes, no more than lying should be in harmony with the truth.
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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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If there is any danger in the present weather, in the name of God, Monsieur, wait until spring
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When we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which God sends us they become for us favors and benefits because conformity to the will of God is a gain far superior to all temporal advantages.
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A man who behaves poorly in a Community will not do well in a parish.
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The wisest persons, surprised by some passion, often say things they later regret.
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So, we pray well when we remain in this way in the presence of God, with no exertion of the understanding or will. Therefore, you will do well to listen to God in the urge you feel to return to us.
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God uproots the vine that He Himself has not planted.
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People are made in such a way that even the holiest ones are liable to offend one another.
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I feel so strongly about the truths Our Lord taught us by word and example that I cannot help but see how everything done according to that teaching always succeeds perfectly well, while things done the opposite way have a quite different result.
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In this way, through experience they will be formed adequately, will be encouraged, and will be capable of rendering service to God.
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Let us do our duty well let us go straight to God let us work to become very humble, very patient, very mortified, and very charitable.
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Since I am a great sinner, I cannot reject those who have been, provided they have good will.
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If, in order to succeed in an enterprise, I were obliged to choose between fifty deer commanded by a lion, and fifty lions commanded by a deer, I should consider myself more certain of success with the first group than with the second.
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You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which embraces at the same time contemplation and action, as does yours, by God's grace.
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We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.
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In the name of God, Monsieur, let us not be so little attached to God's service that we yield to a useless fear which may cause us to abandon the task He has given us.
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. . . [I]n the kingdom of charity, one prefers to suffer some inconvenience rather than inconvenience the neighbor.
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[P]resent misfortune presupposes good luck in the future.
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There is a vast difference between an Apostolic life and the solitude of the Carthusians. The latter is truly very holy but is not suited to those whom God has called to the former, which is in itself more excellent.
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