John Baptist de la Salle had many wise and beautiful things to say. All are morally challenging. Here's a collection, grouped under various headings such as anger, conscience, discipline, faith, gentleness, kindness, love, peace, politeness, prayer, the presence of God, students, teachers, virtue and zeal.

It might prove fruitful to have one of these thoughts running through your mind during the day. Or you might just like to dwell on one or two of them at a time, a form of meditation.

In any case these short, incise Lasallian thoughts may help to bring us closer to our loving Father and to each other.

St. John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever!

Br. Patrick Tierney

1

Anger

You should be very careful not to grow angry or abusive in order to force others to adopt your point of view.

2

Anger

You know it is a shame to speak in anger, so refrain from doing this.

(Letters)

3

Anger

Don't get angry with anybody; it is neither polite nor Christian.

(Letters)

4

Anger

If our hearts are torn by anger or hatred, it is impossible for us to maintain union with Jesus Christ.

5

Anger

Take care not to let yourself give way to impatience and to outbursts of anger.

(Letters)

6

Anger

Surely you see that it is very wrong to get angry and to harbour resentment. You also see that it is very bad to lose your temper.

(Letters)

7

Anxiety

You see, you are over-anxious.

(Letters)

8

Appearance

To all, your face should manifest your respect, or at least your good will.

9

Appearance

You will show by the modesty of your clothing the wisdom and simplicity of your soul.

10

Appearance

Take care never to let anything harsh be seen in your appearance; you should rather manifest wisdom, kindness and goodwill.

11

Authority

The fact that you dislike being in a position of authority pleases me very much.

(Letters)

12

Bad companions

Bad companions are so dangerous, especially in youth, that there is nothing to which you should pay more attention than to prevent those you teach from keeping such company.

(MSF)

13

Bad companions

One of the main things which most contributes to the corruption of young people is keeping bad company.

(MSF)

14

Balance

You must not be alarmed over those who fall into faults but you have to draw attention to them with winning cordiality.

(Letters)

15

Balance

It is neither wise nor sensible to allow your mind to be disturbed over mere trifles.

(Letters)

16

Balance

Take care not to get upset over trivialities.

(Letters)

17

Balance

Why don't you take the trouble to acquire that evenness of temper that is so necessary for you?

(Letters)

18

Balance

No matter how you are told of your defects, our Lord had worse said to him.

(Letters)

19

Balance

Please do not make a great fuss over trifles.

(Letters)

20

Behaviour

Your actions should speak for you.

21

Behaviour

You will persuade your pupils to do what is right much more readily through your wise and prudent behavior than through all the words you could speak.

(MSF)

22

Behaviour

You know the harm thoughtless behaviour does you. So, control your eyes and your tongue for this reason.

(Letters)

23

Behaviour

If out of 20 actions, there is only one that is good or even one partly good, still it will be so much done for love of God.

(Letters)

24

Blessing

I beg our Lord to shower his graces on you.

(Letters)

25

Blessing

Do not forget to thank God for all the blessings he bestows on you.

(Letters)

26

Blessing

God be blessed and His will be done.

(Letters)

27

Blessing

We should consider ourselves blessed when we are visited by God through His inspirations.

(MSF)

28

Boasting

To brag or to speak highly of yourself is something which violates decorum, besides being the mark of a small mind.

29

Boasting

It is always uncouth for you to praise yourself and to brag.

30

Caring

Have much more care for the education of those entrusted to your care than you would have for the children of a king.

(MSF)

31

Children

The spirit of childhood consists in simplicity, docility, purity and in having no regard for worldly riches and honours.

(MP)

32

Children

What a marvel! What a wonderful sight to see the great God reduced to the state of a tiny child.

(MP)

33

Children

For the love of the infant Jesus, I beg you to give me the heart and mind of a child, that I may obey you as a good child obeys his parents.

(MP)

34

Children

Give me, Lord, your spirit of childhood to enable me to cry out with confidence, Abba, Father.

(MP)

35

Cleanliness

You should consider cleanliness of the body as an outward mark and indication of the soul's purity.

36

Communion

The more anxiety and temptation you experience, the more you should have recourse to Communion.

(MSF)

37

Communion

We go to Communion to become holy, not because we are holy.

(MSF)

38

Conscience

Never let another take the blame in order to conceal your own guilt.

(Letters)

39

Conscience

Remain steadfast in the practice of what is right.

(MSF)

40

Conscience

Let people think what they wish of you, and do not be troubled, provided you are doing what you ought to.

(Letters)

41

Conscience

As long as you teach your students to the best of your ability, you can have a clear conscience in the matter.

(Letters)

42

Conscience

Let us learn to live and act in the world without participating in its corruption.

(MSF)

43

Confession

Don't be anxious about your confessions. In this matter, act with simplicity.

(Letters)

44

Constancy

I pray God to bless you and not let you fall into inconstancy, wanting now one thing, now another.

(Letters)

45

Conversation

There is no one, however bad, that you cannot say something good about.

46

Conversation

You should make it clear by your words that you esteem others.

47

Conversation

People who are not convinced by your words will certainly not be persuaded by outbursts of passion.

48

Conversation

As Saint James says, you can be sure that you are perfect if you commit no fault when speaking.

49

Conversation

When you speak, always use words which are in common usage, easily understood, and fitting the topic.

50

Conversation

Our conversation is one of the things we need to watch over the most, so that it may not become harmful.

(MSF)

51

Conversion

For how long has Jesus been knocking at the door of your heart and you have not wanted to receive him ?

(MSF)

52

Conversion

Pray to God, I beg you, that He may touch your heart and make you docile to His will.

(Letters)

53

Conversion

Be convinced that the main conversion is that of the heart and without it the conversion of the mind is quite sterile.

(MSF)

54

Conversion

How many times has Jesus Christ called you and how often, like St. Augustine , have you answered: tomorrow, tomorrow, I will be converted?

(MSF)

55

Courage

Take care not to let yourself be discouraged by anxieties and ailments; life is full of them.

(Letters)

56

Courage

You will get nowhere if you allow yourself to give way to discouragement.

(Letters)

57

Criticism

It is a serious fault to set yourself up as critic and public censor.

58

Death

We will die and we will die only once. Do we wish to die a holy death?

(MSF)

59

Discipline

Punishment must be administered purely for the glory of God, without any desire for personal vengeance.

(CS)

60

Discipline

If a school is to be well-regulated and in very good order, punishment must be rare.

(CS)

61

Discipline

Punishment should be peaceable. Those who administer it should not be moved to anger.

(CS)

62

Discipline

Children are endowed with reason and must not be corrected like animals.

(MTR)

63

Discipline

Make sure that you don't strike the students, for it is a serious fault.

(Letters)

64

Discipline

Take care not to strike the students with your hand or with anything else.

(Letters)

65

Discipline

We must act toward our students in a manner both gentle and firm.

(CS)

66

Discipline

There are five vices which must not ordinarily be excused: lying, fighting, theft, impurity, and disrespect in church.

(CS)

67

Discipline

A constant effort must be made to act with skill and ingenuity to keep students in order while making almost no use of punishment.

(CS)

68

Discipline

A student should never be punished because of a feeling of aversion or annoyance that a teacher may have for that student.

(CS)

69

Discipline

It is not harshness and rigour that produce good order in a school but rather vigilance, combined with circumspection and mildness.

(CS)

70

Discipline

Exercise restraint when you are administering punishment, and don't do it when you feel moved to impatience.

(Letters)

71

Discipline

When you prudently correct your pupils for their faults, you will have done them more good than if you had flattered them with beautiful words.

(MTR)

72

Discipline

When correcting your pupils has charity guided you, or have you not acted rather to vent your bad humour on them?

(MTR)

73

Discipline

Pray God never to allow you to be carried away by any outburst of anger when you have to punish any of your pupils.

(MTR)

74

Education

Look upon your work as one of the most important and most excellent in the church.

(MSF)

75

Education

However limited a child's intelligence, the child that knows how to read and write will be capable of great things.

(CS)

76

Encouragement

Be assured that I want only your welfare and peace of mind.

(Letters)

77

Evaluation

What is your weak point in the performance of your work? Does it consist in being too hasty or overeager, or in being listless and negligent?

(Coll)

78

Excuses

Slackness and rationalizing will lead you into many faults.

(Letters)

79

Faith

Look on everything with the eyes of faith. You must never fail to do this, no matter what the reason.

(Letters)

80

Faith

Do you have a faith such that it is able to touch the hearts of your students and inspire them with the Christian spirit? This is the greatest miracle that you can perform.

(MSF)

81

Faith

You are right in saying that, in the light of faith, you see things quite differently.

(Letters)

82

Faith

The Most Blessed Virgin lived her whole life by the spirit of faith, and it is this spirit God wants you to have.

(Letters)

83

Faith

The spirit of this Institute is first a spirit if faith, which should induce those who compose it not to look upon anything but with the eyes of faith, not to do anything but in view of God and to attribute all to God.

(Rule of 1718)

84

Faith

Your faith should be for you a light which guides you in all things.

(MSF)

85

Faith

I pray, O Lord, that you increase my faith, which is so frail.

(MP)

86

Food

Before eating you should wash your hands, bless the food, and sit down.

87

Foul Language

It shows a lack of respect to use dirty language.

88

Foul Language

You are not permitted to use words which suggest some indecent image or idea.

89

Foul Language

Using filthy language is one way of letting people know how impure you really are.

90

Foul language

It shows a lack of respect to use foul language or words.

91

Friendship

If you reveal the secrets of a friend, you lose all credibility.

92

Friendship

It is impossible to please God if you do not live amicably with others.

(Letters)

93

Generosity

The more you give to God, the more He will bless you.

(MSF)

94

Generosity

You will not find it very difficult to give yourself to God if you have a little generosity. I hope He will give it to you.

(Letters)

95

Gentleness

Be very careful to speak softly in the house when you have to speak.

(Letters)

96

Gentleness

You must help your pupils to be gentle and to have a tenderness for one another, mutually forgiving, as God has forgiven them in Jesus Christ.

(MTR)

97

Gentleness

Let humility and gentleness be always evident in what you say.

(Letters)

98

Gentleness

It is by your gentleness and your wisdom that you will lead those entrusted to your care to give up bad habits.

(MSF)

99

Glory of God

If we truly love God, everything we do we should do for His glory.

(MSF)

100

Good Works

Remain steadfast in the practice of what is right, in spite of all the obstacles you may encounter.

(MSF)

101

Gossip

Those who have nothing to relate except gossip and frivolous, silly stories, would do much better to keep quiet.

102

Happiness

See that your days are full by practicing good works. This is the way to be happy and to please God.

(MSF)

103

Harmony

Everybody has defects, and we bring them with us everywhere we go. It is only by overlooking them that we can maintain peace and union.

(MSF)

104

Harmony

Union in a community is a precious gem. If we lose this we lose everything.

(MSF)

105

Harmony

All should co-operate in maintaining good order in school by acting together in a spirit of mutual dependence.

(CS)

106

Healing

Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is a physician who heals all our ills, and gives us all the graces we need.

(MP)

107

Health

I am very grateful for the concern you have for my health.

(Letters)

108

Holy Spirit

Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you in the depths of your heart.

(Letters)

109

Holy Spirit

Listen to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and not so much to your dislikes and difficulties.

(Letters)

110

Holy Spirit

It is not reputation that we should seek or desire in this world but the fullness of the Spirit of God.

(MSF)

111

Humility

The more humble you are, the more graces you will receive.

(MSF)

112

Humility

Do not pride yourself over what you do.

(MTR)

113

Humility

The Lord of heaven and earth humbles himself so far as to wash the Apostles' feet, and I refuse to be humbled!

(MP)

114

Humility

Instead of being upset when your long-standing faults are pointed out to you, you ought on the contrary to thank God for it.

(Letters)

115

Humility

Piety, without humility, is usually mere hypocrisy or an illusion.

(Coll)

116

Humility

God grants nothing to the proud and refuses nothing to the humble.

(MSF)

117

Image

Impress your image on me, Lord, as a seal does in wax.

(MP)

118

Impurity

If you sometimes feel tormented by impure thoughts, do not cease imploring God until you are completely delivered from them.

(MSF)

119

Joy

Does your joy come from within?

(MSF)

120

Joy

The joy of the just comes from God's love deep in their hearts.

(MSF)

121

Kindness

Each day look for every possible opportunity of doing a kindness for those for whom you feel dislike.

(Letters)

122

Kindness

Charity is kind. Indeed, it is not by scolding, murmuring, complaining or quarrelling that we show our love and union.

(MSF)

123

Kindness

Never speak to anyone except with kindness, and if you fear to speak otherwise, keep silent.

(MSF)

124

Kindness

Be especially careful to anticipate the needs of those who are weak.

(Letters)

125

Kindness

I will see to it that you are led to God through kindness and not through harshness.

(Letters)

126

Kindness

Take the means to see that all is done with kindness and propriety. For this to happen, you must bear with one another.

(Letters)

127

Love

When love is ardent, it is even stronger than death.

(MSF)

128

Love

Give up all bitterness towards your neighbour, no matter what and be convinced that your neighbour is better than you are.

(Letters)

129

Love

You carry out a work which requires you to touch hearts, but this you cannot do except by the Spirit of God.

(MSF)

130

Love

Set me aflame with love for God and give me a burning love for my neighbour.

(MP)

131

Love

Knowledge sometimes puffs up, but charity edifies.

(MSF)

132

Love

Take care never to get into arguments with anybody, for in doing so you can offend against charity, which should be outstanding among you.

(Letters)

133

Love

Faith and charity; without these two virtues we can neither live a Christian life nor be agreeable to God, nor even be happy.

(DC)

134

Love

Sometimes, deeply touched by the greatness of God and in his gifts toward all people, St. Augustine 's heart would melt and soften, then burst forth in leaps of love for his God.

(MSF)

135

Lying

Refinement insists that you never say anything false.

136

Lying

Frequent lying is enough to push you quickly into a vicious life.

137

Lying

It is shameful to make use of fraud and deceit in your words. Those who do this will find that they have won for themselves an infamous reputation for dishonesty.

138

Mary

Let us be convinced that all we do to honour Our Lady will be very richly rewarded by God.

(MSF)

139

Mary

Most Blessed Virgin, you are the noblest, the holiest, the most perfect of creatures, and yet you were the humblest of all.

(MP)

140

Mary

The Most Blessed Virgin should always be invoked first because she is our Mother, loves us and has great power before God.

(MP)

141

Mary

In danger, in narrow and perilous paths, think of Mary and invoke her holy name.

(MSF)

142

Mary

Look upon the Virgin Mary as the masterpiece from God's hands.

(MSF)

143

Meditation

Hold in high esteem the holy exercise of mental prayer, since it is the foundation and support of all the virtues as well as the source of light and grace.

(Coll)

144

Meditation

Interior prayer, in order to be effective and genuine, must take place in the depths of the soul.

(MP)

145

Moderation

Do you perform your actions without overhaste and without undue anxiety?

(Coll)

146

Openness

If you do not expose the wound in your soul to your spiritual physician, you run the risk of remaining ill for a long time.

(MSF)

147

Patience

See to it that you curb your impetuosity.

(Letters)

148

Patience

A little patience, and God will take care of everything.

(Letters)

149

Patience

You expect patience from others, then you must show patience yourself, and let your pupils see you are not acting through whim.

(Letters)

150

Patience

Impatience in class far from bringing order, prevents you from achieving it.

(Letters)

151

Patience

Be careful not to give way to impatience in school.

(Letters)

152

Patience

The charity which is required of us presupposes a patience that is proof against everything.

(MSF)

153

Patience

Don't give in so easily to your hasty temper.

(Letters)

154

Peace

Abandon yourself to God without troubling yourself trying to achieve peace by your own efforts.

(MSF)

155

Peace

You must not be surprised if you experience difficulties. The devil has no desire to see you at peace.

(Letters)

156

Peace

I am very happy that you have great peace of mind and pray that God may keep you in that state.

(Letters)

157

Peace

There are many persons who seem to be spiritual and to possess interior peace, but who really lack it. Just say a sharp word to them or do something to irritate them and immediately they are quite upset.

(MSF)

158

Peace

Try to preserve peace and the God of peace will be with you.

(Letters)

159

Peace

The more you control your senses, the more you will enjoy interior peace and the presence of God.

(Coll)

160

Peace

To be silent and humble before God requires little thinking, little desiring and little understanding; yet it is the way to live at peace.

(Letters)

161

Peace

Danger, persecution, tribulation, distress, calamity…. None of these things can make you lose your interior peace if it is a true peace.

(MSF)

162

Peace

Take care not to get upset over trivialities. It is neither wise nor sensible to allow your mind to be disturbed over mere trifles.

(Letter )

163

Peace

If you seek God and not consolation, you will find peace of mind.

(Letters)

164

Peace

If you cannot pray, tell God that you cannot and then remain at peace. He will not ask you to do the impossible.

(Letters)

165

Perseverance

I shall not fail to pray to God that He may grant you perseverance to the end of your days.

(Letters)

166

Piety

I am upset that you must have so much contact with the world. It is easy for me to see that because of this your piety has diminished.

(Letters)

167

Piety

You should pray much for your students to obtain for them the gift of piety, something God alone can give them.

(MSF)

168

Piety

In your work do you prefer the task of inspiring piety in the children above everything else, no matter what?

(MSF)

169

Pleasing God

Strive after the example of your divine master to want only what God wants, when he wants it, and in the way he wants it.

(MSF)

170

Pleasing God

I adore in all things the will of God in my regard.

(Last Words)

171

Politeness

When speaking, do not let anything harsh, bitter, or disdainful creep into your voice.

(CP)

172

Politeness

There must be genuine courtesy toward lay people and great patience with your students.

(Letters)

173

Politeness

It is most impolite for you to scowl at anyone.

(CP)

174

Politeness

Be sure to be warmly affable toward everyone, to speak and to answer everyone with great gentleness and respect.

(Letters)

175

Politeness

When speaking, do not let anything harsh, bitter or disdainful creep into your voice, no matter to whom you are speaking.

(CP)

176

Politeness

You must never insult anybody, and you are never permitted to say or do anything that might lead to such conduct.

(CP)

177

Politeness

You should not refer to obvious defects or blemishes on a person's face.

(CP)

178

Politeness

It is not at all courteous for you to play the hypocrite with anybody.

(CP)

179

Politeness

You should not laugh when someone says something improper or inappropriate.
(CP)

180

Politeness

Never rebuff anyone; that gives very bad example. On the contrary, speak politely, which is altogether in keeping with the Spirit of God.
(Letters )

181

Politeness

If you have to refuse some request, make sure that your refusal does not cause unhappiness.

(Letters )

182

Poor people

Jesus Christ will look upon the good you do to the poor as done to himself.

(MSF)

183

Poor people

You are required by your work to love the poor. Look upon them as images of Jesus Christ.

(MSF)

184

Praise

Do not praise persons too far above their real merits.

(CP)

185

Prayer

Idleness is to be avoided, but at the same time you must not hamper yourself with too many acts in prayers.

(Letters)

186

Prayer

If you love God, prayer will be the food of your soul.

(MSF)

187

Prayer

We learn to speak to God only by listening to Him.

(MSF)

188

Prayer

You will give me great pleasure if you also pray for me.

(Letters)

189

Prayer

Prayer is the mainstay of your spiritual life, would you want to neglect it?

(Letters)

190

Prayer

The reason that you are experiencing apathy during prayer is that you are too concerned about external things and you talk too much.

(Letters)

191

Prayer

Prayer is to be preferred to everything.
(Letters)

192

Prayer

Perhaps you do not really want what you are praying for; you pray only with your mouth and merely utter so many words.
(Coll)

193

Prayer

When you pray, let it be with such deep humility that God will not be able to refuse you.

(DC)

194

Prayer

In periods of dryness and darkness when you feel no attraction, remain constantly faithful to prayer.

(Letter)

195

Prayer

Pray often for me; I am in great need of your prayers. I will also pray for you and will try to help you in every way I can.

(Letters)

196

Prayer

Don't dwell on thoughts about your class work during the time for prayer. Everything at its proper time.

(Letters)

197

Prayer

I shall pray to God and have many others offer prayers for you and your needs.

(Letters)

198

Prayer

Prayer draws down the grace of God and keeps temptation away.

(MSF)

199

Presence of God

It is better for me to be tempted and harassed by the devil than to sin in the presence of God.

(MP)

200

Presence of God

The remembrance of the presence of God will be a great advantage in helping you and in inspiring you to do all your actions well.

(Letters)

201

Presence of God

All you need and all God wants of you is that you remain in His presence.

(Letters)

202

Presence of God

It is a matter of great consequence not to lose sight of God in your work.

(MSF)

203

Presence of God

It is only right that God, who reigns in my heart, should be the master of all that takes place within it.

(MP)

204

Presence of God

We must ensure that our minds remain filled with the thought of God's presence.

(MP)

205

Presence of God

Never let yourself be wrongly persuaded that God has abandoned you.

(Letters)

206

Presence of God

Sometimes, it seems our Lord is asleep, but then He awakens and sets us on our way.

(Letters)

207

Presence of God

In all matters I advise you to act as being in the presence of God and not to please others.

(Letters)

208

Presence of God

Often recollect yourself in order to renew and strengthen in your mind the remembrance of the presence of God.

(Letter )

209

Presence of God

We can be attentive to God's presence even in the most distracting surroundings, whether we are walking about or remaining in one place.

(MP)

210

Presence of God

You are real angels sent by God to prepare a path for him, so that he can enter your own hearts and those of your disciples.

(MSF)

211

Presence of God

Do you do everything as being done in God's presence?

(MSF)

212

Presence of God

Since God is present everywhere, have you adored him everywhere?

(MSF)

213

Presence of God

We offend God dwelling in us when we use our senses for evil purposes.

(MP)

214

Presence of God

Is it not the greatest advantage we can enjoy in this world to have God dwelling in us.

(MP)

215

Pride

Do not imitate the Pharisee who instead of praying to God thought only of praising and congratulating himself.

(MSF)

216

Pride

My God, what a dreadful misfortune it is to be proud, for you resist such people.

(MP)

217

Pride

There are some people who seem to glory in bragging about their sins.

(CP)

218

Pride

It is against decorum to make certain gestures which show you are conceited.

(CP)

219

Pride

You should be most careful not to speak so haughtily, as you tell me you sometimes do. The Spirit of God does not allow that sort of talk.

(Letters)

220

Priority

Your spiritual exercises and your school require all your care.

(Letters)

221

Prudence

To speak prudently you must consider whether it is the perfect time for speaking or for remaining silent.

(CP)

222

Prudence

It is prudent when someone is using insulting language not to reply in kind.

(CP)

223

Prudence

You must be particularly circumspect in your words when someone has entrusted you with a secret.

(CP)

224

Providence

Throw yourself into God's arms; He is your Father and He will carry you when the road is rough.

(Letters)

225

Providence

Do not have any anxieties about the future, but leave everything in God's hands, for He will take care of you.

(Letters)

226

Providence

When a person abandons himself to the Providence of God, it is like a man who puts himself out to the high sea without either sails or oars.

(MSF)

227

Purity

Be on guard not to sing indecent songs which glorify loose living.

(CP)

228

Purity

Have a great horror for anything that even remotely suggests impurity.

(CP)

229

Purity

One of the best ways to acquire and preserve chastity is to flee from the first assaults of the demon of impurity.

(MSF)

230

Purity

Temperance helps a great deal to preserve purity.

(MSF)

231

Purity

Since the Most Blessed Virgin possessed the virtue of purity in all its perfection, she can help us very much to preserve it.

(MSF)

232

Reading

Do not read hurriedly to get through a book quickly. Stop from time to time to relish your reading.

(Coll)

233

Recreation

It is entirely contrary to propriety to cheat in a game.

(CP)

234

Relationships

Every Christian should show honour and respect to all others, considering them as children of God.

(CP)

235

Relationships

You are never allowed to amuse yourself at the expense of others.

(CP)

236

Relationships

You must never insult anybody.

(CP)

237

Relationships

It is not by scolding, murmuring, complaining or quarrelling that we show our love and union.

(MSF)

238

Relationships

It is exceedingly rude to speak of yourself all the time.

(CP)

239

Relationships

You should never blame others or ridicule what they have said.

(CP)

240

Relationships

Never comment on the faults or behaviour of your brothers.

(Letters)

241

Relationships

It is very rude to be forever finding fault with what others do. If you do not wish to say anything good about them, you should say nothing.

(CP)

242

Relationships

When you hear someone spoken ill of, try to excuse his defects and say something good about him.

(CP)

243

Relationships

It is not permissible to make fun of a person because of his natural or involuntary handicaps.

(CP)

245

Relationships

Dislike for our neighbour and resentment for wrongs done to us prevent our thoughts from reaching God.

(Letters )

246

Relationships

Compliments should be given without flattery.

(CP)

247

Religion

Without a horror for sin and the spirit of religion your soul will be like a city without walls and fortifications, always open to the attacks of your enemies.

(MSF)

248

Respect

The respect you should have for others requires that you never take pleasure in anything that might cause pain to anybody.

(CP)

249

Respect

Making fun of somebody over a defect or weakness or mimicking him by gesture is entirely unworthy of a well-educated person.

(CP)

250

Respect

The church is one place where you should be very neat and clean out of the respect you have towards God.

(CP)

251

Respect

Show great respect not only to your Brothers but towards people generally.

(Letters)

252

Respect

Just as we would be ashamed to say something or do anything that might displease a person we respect, how much more should we fear to offend God.

(MP)

253

Rest

We must not go faster or at a different pace to what God wants of us, and we must rest when He wishes it.

(Letters)

254

Rest

It is quite right to take a little rest from time to time. Both body and mind need this.

(CP)

255

Routine

Take great care against routine in your actions.

(Letters)

256

Scripture

Nourish your soul daily with the holy truth contained in this wonderful book. (The Gospels)

(MSF)

257

Scripture

If you wish to be filled with the mind of God, make the sacred books of Scriptures your special study.

(MSF)

258

Scripture

The Brothers shall have a most profound respect for the Holy Scriptures and pass no day without reading some of the New Testament.

(Rule of 1718)

259

Scripture

Let your ears be always open and attentive to God's word; learn to speak little and to speak only with wisdom.

(MSF)

260

Scripture

Read Scripture frequently and often meditate on the words to encourage yourself to do what is right.

(MSF)

261

Scriptures

How powerful the word of God is to touch hearts.

(MSF)

262

Self-control

When you tell your pupils to be self-controlled, are you the first to act that way ?

(MSF)

263

Self Control

Fast with your eyes, your tongue and your heart.

(MSF)

264

Self-Control

It is very wrong to let yourself be carried away by every idea that comes into your head.

(Letters)

265

Self-control

Control your tongue; such self-control will make it easy for you to remember the presence of God.

(MSF)

266

Self-pity

You are in God's presence; that is more than enough for you. Do not give way to self-pity, but rather fear that and distrust it.

(Letters )

267

Sensitivity

Charity requires that you show regret over what causes suffering to others and that you rejoice over what is pleasant for them.

(CP)

268

Seriousness

Take care to be always serious in class; the good order of the school depends a great deal on that.

(Letters)

269

Seriousness

The seriousness demanded of teachers does not consist in having a severe aspect, in getting angry, or in saying harsh words.

(CS)

270

Service

Help me to make use of my whole body, of my whole being, and all other creatures only for Your service.

(MP)

271

Silence

It is great wisdom to know how to keep silence when the occasion requires it.

(Letters)

272

Silence

The more completely silence is kept in your school, the more order there will be. For this reason, see that silence is kept.

(Letters )

273

Simplicity

When you speak, do so in a simple and unaffected manner, without trying to improve what others say.

(Coll)

274

Sin

Often urge your pupils to avoid sin with as much speed as they would flee the presence of a snake.

(MTR)

275

Sin

Lord, do not permit me to be so heartless as to love sin any longer for it cost you so much to destroy it.

(MP)

276

Sing

You should sing psalms and hymns with all your heart because they contain the praises of God.

(CP)

277

Spirituality

It is God who inspires and encourages me to do good when I feel cowardly or tepid.

(MP)

278

Spirituality

You must turn to God and work hard at your salvation.

(Letters)

279

Spirituality

Take pains to please God in all you do.

(Letters)

280

Spirituality

I prefer to be poor in union with you my God, rather than to be rich without You.

(MP)

281

Spirituality

My divine Master, you do not command me to learn from you how to work miracles.

(MP)

282

Spirituality

I think that you trouble yourself too much over what is merely external.

(Letters

283

Spirituality

Have no other desire than to please God.

(Letters)

284

Spirituality

How often have I exposed myself to losing my soul for the sake of some fleeting pleasure, some ridiculous honour?

(MP)

285

Spirituality

It seems that your love for God is very weak. If you don't remedy this state of affairs, you are going to lose yourself.

(Letters)

286

Spirituality

Let me not desire anything but the kingdom and justice of God.

(MP)

287

Spirituality

Do not become too accustomed to the worldly spirit and manners.

(Letters)

288

Spirituality

Jesus Christ is like the sun, which not only gives plants the power to produce but also gives to their fruits goodness and perfection.

(MP)

289

Spirituality

We didn't enter the religious life to bargain with anyone. We are not to make any conditions.

(Letter )

290

Straightforward

When you speak, do so in a simple unaffected manner, without trying to improve what others say.

(Coll)

291

Straightforward

God loves openness of heart and straightforwardness.

(Coll)

292

Students

Do you teach your pupils anything you do not practise yourself?

(MSF)

293

Students

Have you up to the present looked upon the salvation of your students as your personal responsibility?

(MTR)

294

Students

Look upon poor students as images of Jesus Christ.

(MSF)

295

Students

If you have for your students the firmness of a father to restrain them from misbehavior, you must also have for them the tenderness of a mother to draw them to you.

(MSF)

296

Students

Recognize Jesus beneath the poor rags of the children whom you have to instruct.

(MSF)

297

Students

The soul of each one of your pupils is infinitely dear to God.

(MSF)

298

Students

Often ask God for the grace to touch hearts.

(MSF)

299

Students

It is a great gift of God to be entrusted with the instruction of children.

(MTR)

300

Students

Are you careful to keep your students away from whatever might corrupt their morals?

(MSF)

301

Students

Teachers must show more mildness toward some pupils, more firmness toward others. Some call for much patience and some need to be stimulated and spurred on.

(MSF)\

302

Students

You should not only take all possible care of your students, but consecrate your life entirely to procure salvation for them.

(MSF)

303

Students

Your duty is to make those most inclined to lead wayward lives follow the right path.

(MSF)

304

Students

Have you been too strict, too easy-going or too familiar with your students?

(Coll)

305

Students

It is really disgraceful to call your students by insulting names.

(Letters)

306

Students

The supervisor must make the new teachers realize how important it is to love all of the children with equal charity.

(CS)

307

Students

Help your pupils to avoid rendering evil for evil, injury for injury, and taking revenge.

(MTR)

308

Students

Prefects shall strive to be loved rather than feared.

(CS)

309

Students

If your students do not commit themselves to practise good works, their faith will be of no use to them.

(MTR)

310

Suffering

Are you as faithful to follow Jesus Christ when He causes you to suffer as when He showers you with His blessings?

(MSF)

311

Suffering

Willingly endure all the trials you are given, and do not be troubled by any of them.

(MSF)

312

Suffering

Every state of life has its own difficulties.

(Letters)

313

Suffering

Do not be surprised if God often sends you occasions to suffer. The more he sends, the more he shows that he loves you.

(MSF)

314

Suffering

No saint has ever lived in this world without suffering and without the cross.

(MSF)

315

Sympathy

You allow yourself to get too upset and that does you a lot of harm.

(Letters)

316

Teachers

Teachers gain a very special satisfaction when they see their former pupils living with justice and piety, keeping far from evil associations, and performing good deeds.

(MTR)

317

Teachers

Often ask God for the grace to touch hearts; this is the grace of your state.

(MSF)

318

Teachers

A teacher will not permit any student to laugh when another has not answered properly.

(CS)

319

Teachers

Teachers will never say anything vulgar and will be careful not to speak in a dull way which could produce weariness.

(DC)

320

Teachers

Since young children are not yet sufficiently able to understand the Gospel maxims, you must serve as visible angels for them.

(MSF)

321

Teachers

Teachers in training need to realize that they must never spoil certain students while ignoring others.

(CS)

322

Teachers

A teacher can speak to students in a relaxed and friendly manner without being too familiar with them.

(CS)

323

Teachers

You must not doubt that it is a great gift of God to be entrusted with the instruction of children.

(MTR)

324

Temperament

You should always try to be even-tempered.

(CP)

325

Temperament

If your temperament is fiery and hasty, you must watch over yourself carefully.

(CP)

326

Temptation

When temptations come, place yourself in God's hands as you would with a good father.

(Letters)

327

Temptation

Be ready to meet temptation at any time, for God exercises those He loves.

(MSF)

328

Temptation

Attention to God's holy presence will give us strength against temptations and will deliver us from them.

(MP)

329

Temptation

Impure thoughts are most subtle temptations of the devil.

(Letters)

330

Temptation

Whatever difficulty or temptation I may have, I have only to come into God's presence and I will be comforted and relieved.

(MP)

331

Temptation

You must not let the temptations to impurity that you experience upset you. Try to think of something else.

(Letters )

332

Time

Time is very precious.

(Letters)

333

Time

Time is precious. God will require an account of the time you have wasted.

(Letters )

334

Tolerance

Put up with the faults of others and be generous in the interpretation you put on them.

(Letters)

335

Tolerance

Is it impossible for several persons living together not to have to suffer from one another. One will have a touchy disposition, another bad manners, another….

(MSF)

336

Tolerance

Be ready to make allowances for others just as we want others to make allowances for us.

(MSF)

337

Tolerance

Since we should endure all things from everyone, we can no longer say: I cannot put up with this from that person; I cannot stand such a defect in this other one.

(MSF)

338

Truth

You should never say anything false.

(CP)

339

Truth

You should make an effort to be so sincere in what you say that you will earn the reputation of being entirely truthful.

(CP)

340

Truth

God is so good that He not only brings us into existence but also desires that all of us come to the knowledge of the truth.

(MTR)

341

Vigilance

Student progress will not be brought about by your impatience but by your vigilance and prudent behaviour.

(Letters)

342

Vigilance

Ask God today for the grace of watching so well over the children confided to you, that you will take every possible precaution to shield them from serious faults.

(MTR)

343

Vigilance

Supervise the children carefully, for there will be no order in the school except in so far as you are watchful over them.

(Letters )

345

Vigilance

Teachers must be very alert to whatever can harm or wound their pupils.

(MSF)

346

Vigilance

See to it that none of your pupils go astray, or if some do, that they come back without any delay.

(MSF)

347

Virtue

There is no point in loving virtue unless you love all that comes with it.

(Letters)

348

Virtue

Firm courage and a little generosity will enable you to overcome all your difficulties.

(Letters)

349

Virtue

Virtue cannot hide. When it is seen it draws all hearts.

(MSF)

350

Virtue

What a very advantageous thing it is to practise virtue early in life! By this means we perform acts of virtue as though naturally.

(MSF)

351

Virtue

Is your behaviour sufficient to encourage children to practise virtue?

(MSF)

352

Virtue

Your way of life should be a model for your students because they ought to find in you the virtues they should practise.

(MSF)

353

Virtue

Do not forget to help your pupils acquire gentleness, patience, love and respect for their parents.

(MTR)

354

Virtue

Inspire your pupils with a horror for impurity, stealing, lying, disobedience and lack of respect for their parents.

(MTR)

356

Wisdom

Surely knowledge of God is of more value than all the other knowledge of the most learned men.

(Letters)

357

Wisdom

The wise man advises you to forget all the slights you may experience from your neighbour.

(CP)

358

Wisdom

It is characteristic of a truly wise person never to be upset by anything.

(CP)

359

Youth

Few young people go astray through malice of heart. The majority is perverted by bad example and by the circumstances they meet.

(MSF)

360

Zeal

Rouse up those who lack courage, support the weak and be patient towards all.

(MTR)

361

Zeal

If you wish to show zeal for others, let it be simply by giving them good example.

(Letters)

362

Zeal

Secondly, the spirit of this Institute consists in an ardent zeal for the instruction of children, inducing them to preserve their innocence and inspiring them with a horror for sin.

(Rule of 1718)

363

Zeal

You are full of zeal but it is not well regulated, because you want others reprimanded for their faults but do not wish to be reproved for your own.

(Letters )

364

Zeal

Your zeal for the children under your guidance will only become perfect if you yourself practise what you teach.

(MTR)

365

Zeal

Carry out your ministry with love and a sincere and true zeal.

(MTR)

366

Zeal

You must lead your students to practise well all the good of which they are capable.

(MTR)