51 Quotes by Paul Tournier

No one can develop freely in this world and find a full life without feeling understood by at least one person.

People are reluctant to talk about old age and death because they are afraid of emotion, and they willingly avoid the things they feel most emotional about, though these are the very things they most need to talk about.

To be right is dangerous, it has ever been the source of all intolerance.

In order to make a success of old age, one must begin it earlier, and not try to postpone it as long as possible. In the middle of life we must stop to think, to organize our existence with an eye to a still distant future, instead of allowing ourselves to be entirely sucked into the professional and social whirl. It is then that it is important to give place little by little to less external activities, less technical and more cultural, which will survive the moment of retirement.

In order to really understand, we need to listen, not reply. We need to listen long and attentively. In order to help anybody to open his heart we have to give him time, asking only a few questions, as carefully as possible in order to help him better explain his experience.

Christian faith does not involve repressing one's anxiety in order to appear strong. On the contrary, it means recognizing one's weakness, accepting the inward truth about oneself, confessing one's anxiety, and still to believe, that is to say that the Christian puts his trust not in his own strength, but in the grace of God.

Sickness may be the solemn occasion of God's intervention in a person's life.

...the highest sign of friendship is that of giving another the privilege of sharing your inner thought.

That is what marriage really means; helping one another to reach the full status of being persons, responsible and autonomous beings who do not run away from life.