Francois Fenelon Quotes

No more restless uncertainties, no more anxious desires, no more impatience at the place we are in; for it is God who has placed us there, and who holds us in his arms. Can we be unsafe where he has placed us?

Worry is the cross which we make for ourselves by over anxiety.

Peace does not dwell in outward things, but within the soul.

Let us pray God that He would root out of our hearts every thing of our own planting, and set out there, with His own hands, the tree of life, bearing all manner of fruits.

Accustom yourself gradually to carry Prayer into all your daily occupation – speak, act, work in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be.

As long as anything in this world means anything to you, your freedom is only a word. You are like a bird that is held by a leash; you can only fly so far.

God is our true Friend, who always gives us the counsel and comfort we need. Our danger lies in resisting Him; so it is essential that we acquire the habit of hearkening to His voice, or keeping silence within, and listening so as to lose nothing of what He says to us.

Carefully purify your conscience from daily faults; suffer no sin to dwell in your heart; small as it may seem, it obscures the light of grace, weighs down the soul, and hinders that constant communion with Jesus Christ which it should be your pleasure to cultivate.

If we were faultless we should not be so much annoyed by the defects of those with whom we associate.

Had we not faults of our own, we should take less pleasure in complaining of others.

No human power can force the intrenchments of the human mind: compulsion never persuades; it only makes hypocrites.

Simplicity brings back the joys of Paradise. Not that we have pure pleasure without a moment’s suffering, but when we are surrendered to God, we are not grasping for pleasure, and even our troubles are received with thanksgiving. This inner harmony, and this deliverance from fear and the tormenting desires of self, create a satisfaction in the soul which is above all the intoxicating joys of this world put together.