A calling is a choice God makes of some souls to use them for a certain good work.

Our Lord humbles in order to raise up, and allows the suffering of interior and exterior afflictions in order to bring about peace. He often desires some things more than we do, but wants us to merit the grace of accomplishing them by several practices of virtue and to beg for this with many prayers.

One must be firm and unchanging with regard to the end but gentle and humble as to the means.

Omit nothing which can advance his work, and not blame others for the delay.

Oh! how happy the man of means who uses his wealth and his life for the greater glory of God, from whom he has received them!

O Monsieur de Sergis, how important a matter is submission of spirit to a superior!

Nor should you move so fast! The works of God do not proceed in that way; they come about of themselves, and those He does not create soon perish.

Nevertheless, when one is ill, one should be submissive to the doctor and obey him.

Nature makes trees put down deep roots before having them bear fruit, and even this is done gradually.

Naturally, everyone loves his freedom, but we must beware of this as of a broad road that leads to perdition.

Naturally, everyone is disheartened by sharp reprimands, and by the most amiable corrections as well, if they are frequent, immoderate, or given inappropriately.

Most people offend God by passing judgment on the things others do, especially important people, not knowing the reasons why they are doing what they do; for when one does not know the primary cause of some matter, what conclusions can he draw from it?

Man’s condition is never the same; he is humbled, then exalted; sometimes at peace, sometimes persecuted; enlightened today and plunged into darkness tomorrow. What is to be done? As I said, let us be prepared for whatever may happen.

Make an effort to serve good bread and good meat and not to sell the better wine so as to serve what is inferior.

Mais quoi! There is nothing good that does not meet with opposition, and it should not be valued any less because it encounters objections.

Let us believe that all is going along the best in the world when we take no satisfaction in it, provided we humble ourselves for this and redouble our confidence in God.

Let us be submissive to Providence, He will see to our affairs in His own time and in His own way.

Laws must never be made compatible with crimes, no more than lying should be in harmony with the truth.

Just as stinginess is blameworthy so is the fault of facility in paying more for things than they are worth.

It will be easier for you to bring him around to where you want him more by gentleness and patience than by being too uncompromising.

It seems to me that the best way will be the one that is most gentle and forbearing, which is more in conformity with the Spirit of Our Lord and more apt to win hearts.

You know that you yourself are not always in the same state. If you are exact today, closely united to God, and a consolation to the whole house, tomorrow you will be out of sorts, indolent, and a source of affliction to others. Then you will need their support, as you have supported them.

It is not light they need but strength, and strength permeates through the external balm of words and good example.

It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize.

It is difficult to master one’s feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs.

With whose imperfections will you bear, and what insult are you capable of enduring, if a thoughtless word from your own Superior is unbearable?

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.

It is a good sign when He burdens us with crosses and we carry them well, but woe to the person who runs away from them, for he will find such heavy ones that they will overwhelm him.

Is it not better to fail after asking advice than to risk acting on our own?

Indeed, good is not good if one does not suffer in doing it.