"(In III 8)"When humility and gentleness are genuinethey keep us from the "swelling" of the heartwhich injuries and maliciousness can cause.If, however, when stung and bitten by others we become proud,"swollen" and irritated, it is because our humility and our gentlenessare not true and sincere, but false and illusory. Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. Writings by St. Francis de Sales Treatise on the Love of God This great classic book explains what love of God is, how it begins in us, how it increases or decreases according as we correspond to grace or not, how to distinguish true love of God from an apparent but false love, and how to make progress in love. "(LW I 5)"We must take all the care thatGod wishes us to take about perfectingOurselves, and yet leave the careOf arriving at perfection entirelyTo God. "(In IV 11), "A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; the one who finds one finds a treasure. Leadership; The President. January 24. "(T VII 6)When we see a soul that has rapturesin prayer without ecstasy in life,these raptures are exceedingly doubtful and dangerous. (Live Jesus!) Ironically, the greatest obstacle to this process of growth is the refusal to acknowledge the fact that we are imperfect. Let St. Francis de Sales illumine the path to holiness and strengthen your desire to walk that road with the Lord. "(LW I 5)"If we really knew ourselves,instead of being astonished at findingourselves on the ground,we should marvel howwe sometimes manage to remain upright. "(LW I 5). "(In III 29)"Refraining from imputing imaginary faults to your neighbor,from revealing those which are secretand from exaggerating those which are obvious. Spiritual life -- Catholic Church, Christian saints -- Switzerland -- Correspondence, Francis, de Sales, Saint, 1567-1622, Francis, de Sales, Saint, 1567-1622 -- Correspondence, Christian saints, Spiritual life Publisher New York : E.P. "(In III 29)"Whoever removes slander from the worldwould remove a great part of its sinsand injustice as well. "(LR III 43)"Humble yourself loving before Godand your neighbors, for Godspeaks to ears that are bowed down. After all, they are many things in life - our family, our friends, our livelihood, our health, our dreams - that are important to us. "So, then do not be surprised,"said the Apostle, "if I rest my mind from time to time.It will be more dedicated to reflection as a result. "(In 4 3)"As long as we are determined totake no pleasure in temptationswe can never offend God. "(LR I 2)"Overzealousness is the motherof all imperfections. They love us. ""One kind word wins more willing servicethan a hundred harsh ordersor stern reproofs. "(In III 1)"The just person is like a tree plantednear running water, which bears fruitin its season. "(In III 30)"To speak little does not consist inuttering few words, butin not speaking useless ones. I highly encourage pairing this section with Josef Pieper’s short work, Leisure: the Basis of Culture. His priesthood and bishopric were dedicated to stopping the hemorrhaging of Catholics from the Church in Europe during one of the worst schisms in history; that was his path to sanctity. In 1923, Pope Pius XI named St. Francis de Sales the patron saint of Catholic writers and the Catholic press because of the tracts and books he wrote. "(Tr VIII 13)"When God's will is shown clearly to usthrough divine ordinances and commandments,there is nothing further to deliberate onfor we must simply do what has been ordained.But for all other things it is in our libertyto choose what seems goodaccording to our preferences. Revisit them often, whether to be encouraged, challenged, nourished or consoled. "(T IX 7)"The pilgrims who spend all oftheir time counting their stepswill make little progress. “Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.” ― Francis de Sales. 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