The saints had no hatred, no bitterness; they forgive everything and think they deserve much more for their offenses against God.

Shall we all be saved? Shall we go to Heaven? Alas, my children, we do not know at all! But I tremble when I see so many souls lost these days. See, they fall into Hell as leaves fall from the trees at the approach of winter.

Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the angels, and the saints – they are your public.

Those who go often to Mass during the week, do their work very much better than those who, for want of faith, think they have no time for it.

God commands you to pray, but forbids you to worry.

A priest goes to Heaven or a priest goes to Hell with a thousand people behind.

We put pride into everything like salt. We like to see that our good works are known. If our virtues are seen, we are pleased; if our faults are perceived, we are sad. I remark that in a great many people; if one says anything to them, it disturbs them, it annoys them. The saints were not like that – they were vexed if their virtues were known, and pleased that their imperfections should be seen.

The Lord is more anxious to forgive our sins than a woman is to carry her baby out of a burning building.

My little children, your hearts, are small, but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us. Prayer never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into the souls and makes all things sweet. When we pray properly, sorrows disappear like snow before the sun.

How happy is that guardian angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass!

See, my children, a person who is in a state of sin is always sad. Whatever he does, he is weary and disgusted with every thing; while he who is at peace with God is always happy, always joyous. . . Oh, beautiful life! Oh, beautiful death!

I thought a time would come when people would rout me out of Ars with sticks, when the Bishop would suspend me, and I should end my days in prison. I see, however, that I am not worthy of such a grace.