Quotes & Themes – Conduct
Conduct
To seek the society of others and to shun it are two blameworthy extremes in the devotion of those who live in the world. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 24)
Do as little children do, who with one hand cling to their father, and with the other gather blackberries along the hedges. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 10)
I recommend to you the gentle and sincere courtesy which offends no one and obliges all, which seeks love rather than honor. (Letters to Persons in the World IV 2)
Be quite clean and neat, but not particular and dainty. (Letters to Persons in the World VI 14)
How much easier it is to adjust oneself to others than to bend them to our opinions and wishes. (The Spirit of St. François de Sales, II 11)
It is a defect to be so rigorous, boorish and unsociable as not to be willing to take any recreation oneself, or permit others to do so. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 31)
If you have no need of recreation for yourself, you must help to make recreation for those who do need it. (Spiritual Conferences, 13)
Take care not to let yourself be moody and out of place with those about you.(Letters to Persons in Religion, I 4)
We must, if possible, avoid making our devotion troublesome to others.( Letters to Persons in the World II 6 )
That playing and dancing may be permissible, we should take part in such things for the sake of recreation and not merely from fondness of them. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 34)
Make yourself a seller when you are buying, and a buyer when you are selling, and then you will sell and buy justly. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 36)
Though it is lawful to play games, to dance, to adorn oneself, to be present at proper plays, and to feast, yet to have an affection to such things is contrary to devotion, and extremely hurtful and dangerous. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 23)
If anyone helps you more than he is helped by you, realize that you are not his father but only his equal. (The Spirit of St. François de Sales, XXII 8)
He that possesses something justly has more right to keep it justly than we have to wish to have it justly. (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 14)
Be sure to avoid retaining anything belonging to someone else as far as possible. (Letters to Persons in the World, III 11)
To go to law and not be out of one’s mind is scarcely granted to the saints. (Letters to Persons in Religion, IV 5)
North American Salesian Network
The North American Salesian Network (NASN) is an organization of both lay and religious groups that live the Salesian teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. NASN facilitates the sharing of Salesian resources, educational services, vocational efforts, and a variety of resources, bringing this optimistic, joy-filled spirituality to people throughout the world.