579 Quotes by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Building a vocation on the expectations of concrete results, however conceived, is like building a house on sand instead of on solid rock, and even takes away the ability to accept successes as free gifts.

Our lives are unique stones in the mosaic of human existence – priceless and irreplaceable.

The spiritual life is a reaching out to our innermost self, to our fellow human and to our God.

Boredom, resentment, and depression are all sentiments of disconnectedness. They present life to us as a broken connection. They give us a sense of not-belonging. In interpersonal relations, this disconnectedness is experienced as loneliness. When we are lonely we perceive ourselves as isolated individuals surrounded, perhaps, by many people, but not really part of any supporting or nurturing community.

Jesus does not speak about a change of activities, a change in contacts, or even a change of pace. He speaks about a change of heart.

Asking people for money is giving them the opportunity to put their resources at the disposal of the Kingdom.

I now see that the hands that forgive, console, heal, and offer a festive meal must become my own.

Who can take away suffering without entering it?

You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.