François Fénelon quotes - page 2

A cross borne in simplicity, without the interference of self-love to augment it, is only half a cross. Suffering in this simplicity of love, we are not only happy in spile of the cross, but because of it; for love is pleased in suffering for the Well Beloved, and the cross which forms us into His image is a consoling bond of love. (François Fénelon)
A good historian is timeless; although he is a patriot, he will never flatter his country in any respect. View quote
François Fénelon
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. View quote
François Fénelon
This poor world, the object of so much insane attachment, we are about to leave; it is but misery, vanity, and folly; a phantom, - the very fashion of which "passeth away." View quote
François Fénelon
If we had strength and faith enough to trust ourselves entirely to God, and follow Him simply wherever He should lead us, we should have no need of any great effort of mind to reach perfection. View quote
François Fénelon
We are never less alone than when we are in the society of a single, faithful friend; never less deserted than when we are carried in the arms of the All-Powerful. View quote
François Fénelon
As the reflections of our pride upon our defects are bitter, disheartening, and vexatious, so the return of the soul towards God is peaceful and sustained by confidence. You will find by experience how much more your progress will be aided by this simple, peaceful turning towards God, than by all your chagrin and spite at the faults that exist in you. View quote
François Fénelon
The greatest defect of common education is, that we are in the habit of putting pleasure all on one side, and weariness on the other; all weariness in study, all pleasure in idleness. View quote
François Fénelon
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. View quote
François Fénelon
Discouragement is simply the despair of wounded self-love. View quote
François Fénelon
Exactness and neatness in moderation is a virtue, but carried to extremes narrows the mind. (François Fénelon)
Can we be unsafe where God has placed us, and where He watches over us as a parent a child that he loves? View quote
François Fénelon
All earthly delights are sweeter in expectation than in enjoyment; but all spiritual pleasures more in fruition than in expectation. View quote
François Fénelon
Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer. View quote
François Fénelon
Had we not faults of our own, we should take less pleasure in complaining of others. View quote
François Fénelon
There is no more dangerous illusion than the fancies by which people try to avoid illusion. View quote
François Fénelon
Little opportunities should be improved. View quote
François Fénelon
To be faithful in prayer it is indispensable that we arrange all the activities of the day with a regularity that nothing can disturb. View quote
François Fénelon
There is a set of religious, or rather moral, writings which teach that virtue is the certain road to happiness, and vice to misery in this world. A very wholesome and comfortable doctrine, and to which we have but one objection, namely, that it is not true. View quote
François Fénelon
Our piety must be weak and imperfect if it do not conquer our fear of death. View quote
François Fénelon
In general, those who govern children forgive nothing in them, but everything in themselves. (François Fénelon)
If we love Him infinitely more than we do ourselves, we make an unconditional sacr. View quote
François Fénelon
...nothing will make us so tender and indulgent to the faults of others as a view of our own. View quote
François Fénelon
Men are very much to be pitied in that they are to be governed by a king who is but a man like them; for it would require Gods to reform men. But kings are not less to be pitied, since being but men, that are weak and imperfect, they are to govern this innumerable multitude of corrupt and deceitful men. View quote
François Fénelon
We must bear our crosses; self is the greatest of them all. If we die in part every day of our lives, we shall have but little to do on the last. O how utterly will these little daily deaths destroy the power of the final dying! View quote
François Fénelon