209 Quotes by François Fénelon

God never ceases to speak to us, but the noise of the world without and the tumult of our passions within bewilder us and prevent us from listening to him.

Despondency is not a state of humility; on the contrary, it is the vexation and despair of a cowardly pride – nothing is worse; whether we stumble or whether we fall, we must only think of rising again and going on in our course.

Resign every forbidden joy; restrain every wish that is not referred to God’s will; banish all eager desires, all anxiety; desire only the will of God; seek him alone and supremely, and you will find peace.

Children are excellent observers, and will often perceive your slightest defects. In general, those who govern children, forgive nothing in them, but everything in themselves.

Fear is like the strong medicine used to fight serious diseases; it purges, but it also alters your temperament and wears out the body organs. A person who is driven by fear will always be the weaker for it.

It is often our own imperfection which makes us reprove the imperfection of others; a sharp-sighted self-love of others.

To be faithful in prayer it is indispensable that we arrange all the activities of the day with a regularity that nothing can disturb.

The realization of God’s presence is the one sovereign remedy against temptation.

O Lord! take my heart, for I cannot give it; and when Thou hast it, O! keep it, for I cannot keep it for Thee; and save me in spite of myself, for Jesus Christ’s sake.