The Complete Fenelon (Paraclete Giants)

by François Fénelon

Set apart regular seasons for reading and prayer. Involve yourself in outward matters when it is really necessary, and attend more to softening the harshness of your judgment, to restraining your temper, and to humbling your mind than to upholding your opinion even when it is right.

The soul that looks where it is going, without losing time arguing over every step, or looking back perpetually, possesses true simplicity.

Remember, simplicity is free from false shame and mock modesty as well as from ostentation and self-conceit. When you feel inclined to talk about yourself out of vanity, the only thing to be done is to stop short as soon as possible. But if, on the other hand, there is some real reason for doing so, then do not perplex yourself with arguments, but go straight to the point.

Self-love would rather find fault with itself than abide silent and ignored.

Open your heart; we heal our woes by not holding them fast. We learn simplicity and yieldedness, for people are reserved only about things that they do not mean to give up.

To be really pleased even with the best persons, we must be satisfied with little and we must bear with much.

Peace on this earth consists in accepting the things that are contrary to our desires, not in being exempted from suffering them, nor in being delivered from all temptations.

Pride is always haughty, impatient, ready to become bitter. But people who in good faith make light of themselves are willing to be made light of by others. People who believe that nothing is owed to them never believe they are being mistreated.