These sayings from St. Francis de Sales have been gleaned from his collected letters, homilies, conferences and publications. While almost always taken from within a larger context, these quotes provide convenient distillations of his rich insights on the love of God, self, others and the created order. 

The foundation for all of DeSales' writings is the imitation of what Jesus called the "greatest commandment:" to grow in the love of God and neighbor. This love is strengthened through the celebration of sacraments, the practice of prayer, and a union of our will with God's will in even the most ordinary aspects of life. Love of God must deepen our love of neighbor, best expressed in the practice of gentleness; love of neighbor must deepen our love for God, best expressed in the practice of humility. 

Scroll through this sampling of DeSales' thoughts that are arranged by theme. Reflect upon them; pray through them, meditate on them. Revisit them often, whether to be encouraged, challenged, nourished or consoled. 

Wisdom:

Reality of Anger
Balance
Conversation
Devotion
Discernment
Fear & Anxiety
Friendship
Practice of Gentleness
Gossip & Slander
Practice of Humility
Judging Others
Trying to be Perfect
Living in the Present
Relaxation & Recreation
Experience of Suffering
Temptation
Practice of Virtue
Living in the World

Reality of Anger

In the literal sense of the word, virtue is power. It is the ability or means used to accomplish something good. It is especially the ability to do accomplish the good joyfully, even in the face of obstacles to that good. 

Virtues are most effective when they meet the needs of a particular relationship, task, event or circumstance. Problems arise when we cling to a "favorite" virtue at a time when a different one is required. 

Nearly half of St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life is dedicated to virtues. May his advice better enable you to practice them. 

"Charity never enters a heart without
bringing with it all the other virtues, empowering
them and marshalling them as needed, just
as a captain does his soldiers."
(In III 1)

"The just person is like a tree planted
near running water, which bears fruit
in its season. So too when charity
waters one's soul, it produces virtuous
works there, but each in its season."
(In III 1)

"Frequently the great fault of those
undertaking the practice of a particular virtue
is to insist stubbornly upon its practice in
all circumstances."
(In III 1)

"Concerning those virtues pertaining to our duties
in life, preference must be given to those which
are most effective, not those which
may be the most showy."
(In III 1)

"Some virtues are so universally useful that we ought
not only to practice them for their own sake but
particularly for their usefulness in the practice of
all the others. For instance, we seldom have the opportunity
to practice fortitude, great generosity or
greatness of soul. In the other hand,
some virtues such as gentleness, temperance,
honesty and humility are the sort
which should characterize
all of our actions."
(In III 1)

"Comets appear to be larger than stars and more
fanfare is generally made of them.
Yet, they are not comparable to stars either in size
or in quality and only seem more spectacular
because they are closer. So, too, most people
generally esteem the virtues which are,
so to speak, closer, more tangible and more material.
(In III 1)

"Let us add this. When we become aware of the
assault of some particular vice, let us practice
as much as possible its contrary virtue
and engage all the other
virtues in this effort."
(In III 1)

Balance

Too much self-indulging or too much self-discipline have one thing in common: too much. Living to extremes--either extreme - generally does little to promote lasting health, happiness or holiness. 

The practice of devotion - the practice of true love - is usually found somewhere in the middle. 

"Salt and sugar are both excellent things,
but too much of either
spoils the dish."
(S XIX 2)

"If you must go to excess on one
side or the other, let it be toward indulgence,
for no sauce was ever spoiled by sugar."
(S II 13)

A sensible mind is a medium mind
which is neither too great nor too little."
(LR V 9)

"It is a well-regulated mixture of both
sugar and salt which produces
a good flavor in a salad dressing."
(S XVII 3)

"Those who wish to straighten a young tree,
not only to bring it to the direction in which
they wish it to grow but even bend it
somewhat beyond,
so that it will not return to its
former direction."
(C IX)

"Our minds must not be kept
always on the stretch."
(C IV 1)

Conversation

How often have we said something for the sake of having something to say, only to have it backfire? How often to we invoke the anger or pain of another, not because of what we said, but because of how we said it? Ever wish that you could take back something that you spoke to another out or anger, frustration or sarcasm? 

Words are powerful. Words have an effect. Words can heal and raise up. Words can injure and tear down. 

May God give us the grace and the wisdom to speak simply, directly, and justly with one another. 

"Mere silence is not wisdom, for
wisdom consists of knowing when and how to speak,
and when and where to keep silent."
(S XX 2)

"Let your speech be gentle,
frank, sincere, straightforward,
candid and faithful."
(In III 30)

"We often show more disdain by
sharing what's on our mind
than by the expression on our face."
(LW I 3)

"If we say less than we should
it is easy to add,
but having said too much
it is hard to take it back."
(LW IV 3)

"Be brief when you cannot be good."
(LR IV 33)

"Take it as a certain sign that your charity is not genuine
if your words, no matter how true,
are not charitable."

"One kind word wins more willing service
than a hundred harsh orders
or stern reproofs."
(S VII 9)

"It takes more oil than vinegar
to make a good salad."
(S II 13)

"It often happens in the sittings of parliament
that the ushers crying out
"silence" make more noise
than those they command to be silent."
(In III 8)

"One can catch more flies with
a spoonful of honey
than with a hundred barrels
of vinegar."
(S II 13)

"The observations of a parent
given gently and affectionately have
much more power to correct a
child than those which are given
angrily and wrathfully."
(In III 8)

"Correction is naturally bitter,
but when mixed with the sugar of loving
kindness, and warmed by the fire of charity,
it becomes more acceptable, gracious
and even cordial."
(S II 13) 

Devotion

Francis de Sales believed that devotion is something to which every Christian is called. Simply put, devotion is that attitude that enables us to practice the commands and Councils of God frequently, carefully and promptly. Devotion is that spirit that inspires us to love God, ourselves and one another in a lively, enthusiastic and energetic manner. 

Remember: "a sad saint is a sorry saint." 

"Necessary employments, according to each one's
vocation, do not diminish devotion, but increase it"
(T XII 5)

"Genuine devotion is consistent with every state
of life. Like liquid poured into a container,
it adapts itself to any shape.
(S XXI 3)

"All of us depict devotion according to our own
preferences and fancies. The one who fasts,
for instance, will believe
he is devout simply because he fasts, even if his heart is full
of hatred. For sobriety's sake, he will not moisten his tongue
with wine or even with water,
yet he will not hesitate to plunge it
into his neighbor's blood through slander and calumny.
Another esteems herself devout because
she multiplies prayers, and yet afterwards
speaks arrogantly to her employees or to her neighbor.
Another person will gladly take alms from his wallet to give
to the poor, but refuses to draw
kindness from his heart to pardon
his enemies. Still another person will pardon easily
but refuses to pay his creditors unless
compelled to do so by law.
All these persons may pass for being "devout" but
they are nevertheless not so."
(In I 1)

"Devotion is a certain intensity of charity
which not only makes us prompt,
active and diligent in observing God's Commandments,
but moves us beyond that to perform as
many good deeds as possible, even
those which are only counseled or inspired."
(In I 1)

"Charity and devotion are no more different
from one another than flame from fire.
Charity is a spiritual fire; when it is embraced it is called
"devotion."
(In I 1)

"It must be obvious that devotion ought to be practiced
differently by the gentleman, the artist, the employee,
the prince, the widow, the celibate, the spouse."
(In I 2)

"Devotion spoils nothing when it is true.
Quite the contrary, it perfects
Everything."
(In I 2)

"Be certain of this: it is an error, even heresy,
to want to banish the devout life from the
company of soldiers, the shops of artisans,
the courts of princes
and the homes of married people."
(In I 2)

"No matter where we are
we must aspire to a
perfect life."
(In I 2)

Discernment

What is God asking of me at this moment? Should I send that e-mail message? Clean the house? Finish that project? All of the above? Some of the above? None of the above? 

Am I called to set time aside for more private prayer? Time for volunteer work? Time with my family? Time with my spouse? Time with myself? 

The process for seeking the answers to these - and so many other questions - is called discernment. Each human being is called to make life choices, great and small, based on the discerned knowledge of the Will of God. 

Some choices are easy: this will either lead to virtue or vice, to light or darkness, to life or death. Other choices, usually dealing with how to do what is right, good and loving may not be so clear cut. 

While the promptings of the Spirit can't be bottled, there are some general rules for the road when it comes determining how God may be speaking to, prompting or leading you. 

"If the ecstasy of love be more beautiful than good,
more bright than warm, more
speculative than affective, it is deserving
of suspicion."
(T VII 6)

When we see a soul that has raptures
in prayer without ecstasy in life,
these raptures are exceedingly doubtful and dangerous."
(T VII 7)

"The secret of secrets in prayer
is to follow attractions in simplicity of heart."
(LR IV 9)

"One of the best marks of the goodness of all
inspirations and especially the extraordinary
is peace and tranquility of heart in those who receive them."
(Tr VIII 12)

"Just as a shrub that is often transplanted
cannot take root and as a result cannot come to
maturity and yield the desired fruit,
so the soul that transplants its heart from
plan to plan cannot profit or gain proper growth in perfection."
(Tr VIII 11)

"When God sends inspirations into a
person's heart, one of the first that is given
is obedience."
(Tr VIII 13)

"When God's will is shown clearly to us
through divine ordinances and commandments,
there is nothing further to deliberate on
for we must simply do what has been ordained.
But for all other things it is in our liberty
to choose what seems good
according to our preferences."
(Tr VII 14)

"To what purpose should we trouble ourselves as to whether
it is better to hear mass in one church rather
than in another, to spin rather than sew,
or to gives alms to a man rather than to a woman?
It is not giving good service to a master to
spend as much time thinking about
what is to be done as in doing it."
(Tr VIII 14)

"Choice of vocation, plans for some affair of
great importance, a work requiring a long time
or some very great expenditure of money,
change of residence, choice of associates and
such similar things require that we think
seriously as to what best accords with God's will.
But in little daily actions, in which even
a mistake is neither of consequence nor beyond repair,
what need is there for us to make a great to-do,
give them much attention, and stop to make
inordinate consultations with others?"
(Tr VIII 14)

Fear & Anxiety

Who hasn't been anxious? After all, they are many things in life - our family, our friends, our livelihood, our health, our dreams - that are important to us. 

Ironically, anxiety and fear usually make it even more difficult to deal with those things that threaten what is important to us. While needing to be realistic, even the most challenging events and changes in our lives are better resolved with a calm, reasoned, and centered approach. 

"You were never told not to think
about your advancement, but that you were
not to think about it anxiously."
(C XII)

"Fear is a greater evil that the evil itself."
(LW VI 12)

"Let the wind blow as it wills,
and not think that the rustling of leaves
is, in fact, a clash of arms."
(LW VI 6)

"Let the world turn upside down,
let everything be in darkness, in smoke,
in uproar - God is with us."
(LW VI 12)

"We must not fear fear."
(LW IV 13)

"It is quite enough to receive the evils which
do come upon us from time to time
without anticipating them
by imagination."
(LR IV 2)

"Anxiety and fear do not provide solace
for our pain but aggravate it, leading us
to a kind of breakdown in
courage and strength because
it appears that our pain has no possible remedy."
(In IV 11)

"Just as internal revolutions and troubles can cause the ruin of a state,
so an anxious and troubled heart no longer
has the strength to resist the assaults of the enemy."
(In IV 11)

"If you can share your anxiety with
your spiritual director or some trusted friend,
calm will be restored more quickly."
(In IV 11)

Friendship

"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; the one who finds one finds a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price; no sum can balance its worth. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as one who fears God finds." (Sirach 6:14-16) 

What a blessing to be blessed by - and with - true friends. They challenge us; they support us; they correct us; they heal us; they forgive us; they journey with us. 

They love us. 

"Perfection does not consist in having
no friendships at all,
but in having those which are
good, holy, and sacred."
(In III 19)

"What is there to be loved and desired if friendship is not?"
(T III 13)

"Heaven and earth are not distant enough
to separate the hearts which our Lord has joined."
(LR II 18)

"It is absolutely necessary
for friendship that mutuality should exist
between the two who love each other."
(C IV)

"Even the bitterness of friends can be sweet."
(T XI 2)

"You know the spot where our hearts meet - there
they can see one another in spite of
the distances of places."
(LR I 8)

"Friendship requires the exchange of good, not evil."
(In III 22)

"Friendship pours out its grace upon all the actions
of the one who is loved."
(T XI 2) 

Practice of Gentleness

Gentleness is the second great pillar of Salesian Spirituality. It both flows from - and strengthens the practice of - humility. If we are truthful about ourselves then we will treat ourselves and one another in a manner which is truthful. 

Gently. 

Reflect on these insights that St. Francis de Sales offers to you. May they strengthen your resolve - and your ability - to be gentle with everyone: yourself, and others. 

"We ought not to become overly disturbed with
ourselves because of our imperfections."
(In III 9)

"We must be on guard against too
strong a disappointment, chagrin and anger.
Many people are at fault in this:
They become enraged at being angry,
disturbed at being disturbed
and vexed at being vexed."
(In III 9)

"We correct ourselves better by a calm and lasting repentance
than by one that is bitter and angry."
(In III 9)

"Lift your heart up gently whenever it falls.
Humble yourself before God, but do not be astonished by
your fall since it is not surprising that weakness is weak,
frailty is frail and misery is miserable!"
(In III 9)

"Just as humility perfects us with respect to God
gentleness perfects us with respect to our neighbor."
(In III 8)

"Let us walk on the way with our brothers and sisters
gently, peacefully and amiably."
(In III 8)

"It is important to resist evil and address the faults of those
placed in our care,
and this must be done constantly and courageously,
but gently and peacefully."
(In III 8)

"You must not only have a kind word
for your neighbors and for strangers, but also for the people
with whom you live and your closest friends."
(In III 8)

"When humility and gentleness are genuine
they keep us from the "swelling" of the heart
which 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 gentleness
are not true and sincere, but false and illusory."
(In III 8)

"When we discover that our lute is out of tune
we must neither break the strings
nor throw the instrument aside."
(S IX 2)

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing is so gentle
as real strength."
(S IV 9)

"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions
do not try to break them,
but bend them with gentleness and time."
(LR I 6)

"Those who can preserve gentleness amid pains,
and peace amid the worry and
multitude of affairs,
is almost perfect."
(LR II 25)

"All is gentle to the gentle."
(LR VI 28)

Gossip & Slander

Unlike other types of activities, gossip and slander are games that everyone can play. With devastating effect. Why do we do it? Depends who you talk to....or about. Generally, our need to tear down others is usually rooted in our need to build ourselves up.......at others' expense. Make no mistake about it. Whether on the phone, by the coffee machine, at the laundromat or in the church parking lot, gossip and slander are not harmless entertainments: they are games with deadly consequences. 

"Slander is a kind of murder."
(In III 29)

"Whoever removes slander from the world
would remove a great part of its sins
and injustice as well."
(In III 29)

"I ask you never to slander anyone,
either directly or indirectly."
(In III 29)

"Refraining from imputing imaginary faults to your neighbor,
from revealing those which are secret
and from exaggerating those which are obvious."
(In III 29)

"There are some who, before actually slandering someone,
will say something good about that person.
These are the most subtle and venomous of slanderers."
(In III 29)

"Do not generalize from a particular instance.
Do not say that a certain person is a drunkard
Because you have seen him drunk once.....
A single act is not enough to justify such a label."
(In III 29)

"If you are speaking with someone who is truly a
slanderer, do not, in order to excuse their behavior, say that
the person speaks frankly."
(In III 29)

"When I must speak up about another person
I must do so in so balanced and just a way that I do not utter
one word too many."
(In III 29)

"Let us be as precise and balanced as possible
in our words."
(In III 30)

"To speak little does not consist in
uttering few words, but
in not speaking useless ones."
(In III 30)

"Above all, avoid false accusations
and the distortion of truth regarding your neighbor."
(In III 29)

Practice of Humility

Humility is one of the two great pillars of Salesian Spirituality. Unlike popular notions, Salesian humility is not the practice of put-downs or self-deprecation: it is the practice of truthfulness. 

What is the truth? In the eyes of God, we are sinners, and we are saved; we are weak, and we are strong; we are broken, and we are healed; we are fearful, and we are joyful; we are finite, and we are called to live forever with God and one another. 

This kind of humility - this kind of truth - will truly set you free. 

"Do not desire to be what you are;
desire to be very well what you are."
(LW VI 19)

"Those who stay not in littleness
will lose their greatness."
(LR III 43)

"Humble yourself loving before God
and your neighbors, for God
speaks to ears that are bowed down."
(LR III 19)

"Those who acknowledge the truth about themselves
In humility are happy to discover others
Who agree with them."
(S XIX 3)

"When you humble yourself it must be with a
gentle and peaceful, not with a querulous and impatient,
humility."
(C IX)

"Let us never make a show of wishing to be last
unless in our hearts we wish
to truly be such."
(In III 5)

"Self-deprecation is nothing more
than a tricky kind of boasting."
(S VIII 3)

"True humility makes no pretense of being humble
and scarcely ever utters words of humility."
(In III 5)

"Those who believe themselves to be far advanced
in the spiritual life have not even made a good beginning."
(S XIII 5) 

Judging Others

It is so easy to judge the actions and motives of others, especially when we are unhappy or uncomfortable with ourselves. Typically, at these moments, we hold others to incredible standards while granting ourselves absolution. 

We are most tempted to see in others what we find most disconcerting about our own actions or motivations. As we grow in our ability to accept and love ourselves, we are more likely to treat others in the same manner. 

"Those who look well after their own consciences
rarely fall into the sin of judging others."
(S II 15)

"The business of finding fault is very easy;
the business of doing better, very difficult."
(LR III 1)

"It is the part of a futile soul to busy itself
with examining the lives of others."
(In III 28)

"We accuse our neighbor for so little, and
we excuse ourselves for so much."
(In III 36)

"Whatever we see our neighbor do
we must strive to interpret it
in the best manner possible."
(C IV 2)

"Since the goodness of God is so great
that one single moment suffices to obtain
and receive God's grace, what assurance
can we have that a person who was a sinner
yesterday is a sinner today?"
(In III 29)

"The one who could take away
rash judgement from the world
would take away from it a great part
of its sins and iniquities."
(In III 29)

"Support and excuse your neighbor
with great generosity of heart."
(LR V 1)

Trying to be Perfect

We frequently labor under the belief - from others, from ourselves, or both - that we need to be perfect. From how we look, how we dress, what we drive, where we work, with whom we relate, we need to be without fault, blemish or imperfection. 

And we make ourselves miserable. 

A healthy spirituality views perfection more as a process than a product. Ironically, the greatest obstacle to this process of growth is the refusal to acknowledge the fact that we are imperfect. To the extent that we can name - and accept - our imperfections, we can truly be perfected - strengthened, converted and purified - by the love of God. 

"When we aim at perfection,
we must aim at the center,
but we must not be troubled
if we do not always hit it."
(C IV)

"We must not be astonished to see ourselves imperfect, since
we must never see ourselves otherwise in this life."
(LR I 2)

"We must suffer our imperfection
in order to have perfection."
(LW I 5)

"We must take all the care that
God wishes us to take about perfecting
Ourselves, and yet leave the care
Of arriving at perfection entirely
To God."
(C III)

"Do not examine too
closely whether you are
in perfection or not."
(LR I 2)

"Overzealousness is the mother
of all imperfections."
(LR I 2)

"The one who can preserve
gentleness amid pains, and peace
amid the worry and multitude of daily life,
is almost perfect."
(LR II 25)

"Our imperfections will accompany us
to the grave."
(LW I 5)

"If we really knew ourselves,
instead of being astonished at finding
ourselves on the ground,
we should marvel how
we sometimes manage to remain upright."
(LR I 8)

"It is our part to plant and water carefully,
but to give increase - that belongs only to God."
(LR IX 6)

Living in the Present

We sometimes waste a great deal of our energies by dwelling on the past or by worrying about the future. At other times we waste a great of energy by imagining what it would be like to be somewhere - or someone - else. 

Living in the present moment enables us to reinterpret our past and to prepare for our future. Living in the present moment enables us to become more of whom God calls us to be in the real circumstances in which we find ourselves each day. 

"To advance well we must apply ourselves
to make good way in the road
nearest to us, and do the first day's journey."
(LW I 5)

"We fight the monsters of Africa
in imagination, but from lack of attention we
allow us in reality to be killed
by the little serpents that lie in our way."
(In III 37)

"Let us await our advancement with patience,
and instead of disquieting ourselves
because we have so little profited in the time past
let us diligently endeavor to do better
in the time to come."
(T IX 7)

"The pilgrims who spend all of
their time counting their steps
will make little progress."
(S XII 3)

"I recommend that you look before you
but not dwell upon those
dangers which you see in the distance."
(LW I 5)

"Those who run best in the race
do not think of the crowd
which is looking at them."
(LW IV 1)

"Great works do not always come our way
but every moment presents us with
opportunities to do little ones
with excellence."
(T XII 6)

"Wheresoever we are, we can
and should aspire to a perfect life."
(In I 3)

"How foolish are those who waste time and thought
in desiring to be martyred in the Indies,
but do not apply themselves to the
duties of their state in life."
(C VIII)

"Do not sow a crop of good intentions
in your neighbor's garden
but cultivate your own with diligence."
(S XIII 7)

"The farmer will never be reproached
for not having a good harvest,
but only for not carefully
tilling and sowing his own ground."
(T IX 7)

"Not only is God always in the place where you are,
but God is in a very special manner
in the depths of your spirit."
(I II 2)

"The day that is past must not judge
the day present, nor the present day
judge that which is past; it is only the
Last Day that judges all."
(In III 29)

"What is the use of building castles in Spain
when we have to live in France?"
(LE VI 19)

Relaxation & Recreation

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." 

We don't know much about Jack, or his feelings regarding play. However, we do know a great deal about St. Francis de Sales and his observations regarding the need for recreation. 

"From time to time one must
recreate and relax
in mind and body."
(In III 31)

It is actually a defect to be so strict, austere
and unsociable that one permits neither oneself
nor others any recreation time."
(In III 31)

"To take the air, to go for a stroll, to enjoy a friendly chat,
to play music, or sing or hunt...are such honest
diversions that the only thing needed to utilize them
well is simple prudence, which gives
to all things their rank, time, place and measure."
(In III 31)

"Games in which winning results from
bodily or mental dexterity or activity...
provide good relaxation and are
perfectly justified."
(In III 31)

"If you spend too much time on games
They are no longer recreations but occupations."
(In III 31)

"If your love for a game is disproportionate
or the stakes played for are too high,
passions get mixed with it, and emotions get out of control."
(In III 31)

"The story goes that a hunter happened upon
St. John the Evangelist
holding and caressing a partridge. The hunter expressed
astonishment that one with so eminent a mind
would waste time on so insignificant a thing.
St. John answered him by posing a question:
"Why is your bow not always taut?" "For fear," replied the hunter,
"that is remaining taut like that, it would have no force at all
when I needed to use it." "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 III 31)

Experience of Suffering

To live, to love, to be human means many things - including the experience of suffering. 

No Christian, any more than Christ Himself, is called to love suffering. However, we are called to love, and if we are willing to love, then we must be willing to suffer - to bear with our limitations, frustrations, imperfections, disappointments, heartaches - and those of others. 

Ironically, some of our greatest pain comes not from suffering itself, but from our attempts - at all costs - to avoid suffering. Francis de Sales offers us some ways of looking at suffering that not only reduce our temptation to avoid it but also to see it as an invitation to accept our ongoing need for healing, reconciliation, and love. 

"What is the bed of tribulation?
It is simply the school of humility."
(LR I 8)

"God never permits anything to come upon us
as a trial or test of our virtue
without desiring that we should profit by it."
(C XVII)

"Our misery is the throne of God's mercy."
(LW VI 12)

"If it be God's will that the remedies overcome
the sickness, return to God thanks with humility;
if it be God's will that the sickness overcome
the remedies, bless God with patience."
(In III 3)

God's will is as much in sickness
As it is in health."
(T IX 10)

"The truly loving heart loves God's good pleasure
not in consolations only
but also in afflictions."
(T IX 2)

Many people would be willing to have afflictions
provided that they not be
inconvenienced by them."
(In III 3)

"One ounce of patient suffering
is worth more than a pound of action."
(S IX 9)

Temptation

One of the late comedian Flip Wilson's most famous lines from the lips of his character Geraldine was, "The devil made me do it." 

While not theologically sophisticated, it does touch upon our all-too human experience of temptation. Temptations are those urgings, feelings, thoughts, inclinations or impulses that invite us or entice us to do what is wrong, or to fail to do what is good. 

Temptations make sin attractive to us. However, temptations themselves are not sinful unless we take delight in them or give into them. Temptations can actually be reminders of our need for God's grace and lead us to draw even more closely to a God who loves us, forgives us, redeems us and inspires us. 

Truth is, "the devil" can't make us do anything: though weakened by the effects of original sin, the choice to commit sin - or practice virtue - remains ours to make. 

"Even if temptation to any sin should last all our life,
it cannot make us displeasing to God
as long as we do not take pleasure in it
and do not yield to it."
(In 4 3)

"Note well that there is a difference between feeling
and consenting to temptation. We may still feel them
even though they displease us."
(In 4 3)

"As long as we are determined to
take no pleasure in temptations
we can never offend God."
(In 4 3)

"Even though we may be
troubled in our soul and body, we still
have the resolution never to consent to the sin
or the temptation."
(In 4 3)

"God allows great trials and temptations
only to those whom God wishes to raise to pure and excellent love."
(In 4 5)

"We have to resist great temptations with invincible courage,
and the victory which it brings is very profitable. But
perhaps we may be able to
gain even greater profit resisting small temptations."
(In 4 8)

"Just as the great temptations surpass the small in quality,
so the small surpass the great very much in number.
Hence, the victory over the small is comparable to that over the great."
(In 4 8)

"It may be very easy not to steal the goods of others, but
difficult to refrain from envy and covetousness.
It may be very easy not to bear false witness in a court of law but
Difficult not to tell lies in conversation."
(In 4 8)

"Little temptations to anger, suspicion, jealousy, envy,
flirtation, vanity, frivolity, duplicity, affectation, deceit,
unchaste thoughts - these are the trials which even the most
devout and resolute person
must constantly face."
(In 4 8)

"While being ready to fight courageously
against great temptations
when they come, we must defend ourselves
well and diligently against these little and feeble assaults."
(In 4 8)

"Little temptations can annoy us but never hurt us
as long as we are firmly resolved to serve God."
(In 4 9)

"Reflect sometimes on what are your
dominating temptations.
After discovering them, adopt a way of life contrary
To them in thoughts, words and deeds.
(In 4 10) 

Practice of Virtue

In the literal sense of the word, virtue is power. It is the ability or means used to accomplish something good. It is especially the ability to do accomplish the good joyfully, even in the face of obstacles to that good. 

Virtues are most effective when they meet the needs of a particular relationship, task, event or circumstance. Problems arise when we cling to a "favorite" virtue at a time when a different one is required. 

Nearly half of St. Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life is dedicated to virtues. May his advice better enable you to practice them. 

"Charity never enters a heart without
bringing with it all the other virtues, empowering
them and marshalling them as needed, just
as a captain does his soldiers."
(In III 1)

"The just person is like a tree planted
near running water, which bears fruit
in its season. So too when charity
waters one's soul, it produces virtuous
works there, but each in its season."
(In III 1)

"Frequently the great fault of those
undertaking the practice of a particular virtue
is to insist stubbornly upon its practice in
all circumstances."
(In III 1)

"Concerning those virtues pertaining to our duties
in life, preference must be given to those which
are most effective, not those which
may be the most showy."
(In III 1)

"Some virtues are so universally useful that we ought
not only to practice them for their own sake but
particularly for their usefulness in the practice of
all the others. For instance, we seldom have the opportunity
to practice fortitude, great generosity or
greatness of soul. In the other hand,
some virtues such as gentleness, temperance,
honesty and humility are the sort
which should characterize
all of our actions."
(In III 1)

"Comets appear to be larger than stars and more
fanfare is generally made of them.
Yet, they are not comparable to stars either in size
or in quality and only seem more spectacular
because they are closer. So, too, most people
generally esteem the virtues which are,
so to speak, closer, more tangible and more material.
(In III 1)

"Let us add this. When we become aware of the
assault of some particular vice, let us practice
as much as possible its contrary virtue
and engage all the other
virtues in this effort."
(In III 1)

Living in the World

Living a life of devotion should not remove us from the events, responsibilities and circumstances of daily living. Rather, striving to live devoutly provides us with a divine perspective that enables us to more fully embrace these same events, responsibilities and circumstances. 

"Perfection does not lie in avoiding
the world, but in not clinging to it."
(LW VI 52)

"Do as little children do, who with one hand
cling to their father, and with the other
gather blackberries along the hedges."
(In III 10)

"You must choose: is it better that there should
be thorns in your garden in order to have roses,
or that there should be no roses in your garden
in order to have no thorns?
(LR III 15)

"Accustom yourself to know how to pass from prayer
to all sorts of actions which your vocation
justly and lawfully requires of you."
(In II 8)

"Riches can prick us with a thousand troubles
in getting them, as many cares in preserving them,
more anxieties in spending them, and with
grief in losing them."
(S XVI 4)

"Peace is better than fortune."
(LW II 10)

"Take care of your health that it may
serve you to serve God."
(LW II 10)

"We must sometimes take a step backward
in order to better spring forward."
(LW II 6)

"While we are busy and anxious to find
out what is the better, we unprofitably let slip
the time for doing many good things."
(T VIII 14)

"We must do all by love, and nothing by force."
(LW III 11)

"The beginning of good things is good;
the progress, better; the end, best."
(T II 19)

"Blessed are the hearts that bend; they shall never be broken."
(S VII 1)

"Live joyously among your occupations."
(LR II 29)

"You must lovingly leave some work
to others, and not seek to have
all the crowns."
(LR II 6)

"Sometimes we so much occupy ourselves
with trying to live like angels
that we neglect to be good
men and women."
(LW I 5)