Monday, July 6, 2009

On Patience

A meditation from the Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales.
Do not limit your patience to this or that kind of trial, but extend it universally to whatever God may send, or allow to befall you. Some people will only bear patiently with trials which carry their own salve of dignity,—such as being wounded in battle, becoming a prisoner of war, being ill-used for the sake of their religion, being impoverished by some strife out of which they came triumphant. Now these persons do not love tribulation, but only the honour which attends it. A really patient servant of God is as ready to bear inglorious troubles as those which are honorable. A brave man can easily bear with contempt, slander and false accusation from an evil world; but to bear such injustice at the hands of good men, of friends and relations, is a great test of patience.

2 comments:

My Chocolate Heart said...

I'm currently reading this book, too. St. Francis De Sales is brilliant, humble, profound, so wise... a wonderful teacher.
This is a fabulous quote. So much to think about. Convicting!

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, I keep reading it over and over again!

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