Quotes by Francois Fenelon

About Francois Fenelon:

François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon is remembered mostly as the author of The Adventures of Telemachus, first published in 1699.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Let the water flow beneath the bridge; let men be men, that is to say, weak, vain, inconstant, unjust, false, and presumptuous; let the world be the world still; you cannot prevent it. Let every one follow his own inclination and habits; you cannot r...

Francois Fenelon

True prayer is only another name for the love of God. Its excellence does not consist in the multitude of our words; for our Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him. The true prayer is that of the heart, and the heart prays only ...

Francois Fenelon

Little faults become great, and even monstrous in our eyes, in proportion as the pure light of God increases in us; just as the sun in rising, reveals the true dimensions of objects which were dimly and confusedly discovered during the night.

Francois Fenelon

Do not make best friends with a melancholy sad soul. They always are heavily loaded, and you must bear half.

Francois Fenelon

Genuine good taste consists in saying much in few words, in choosing among our thoughts, in having order and arrangement in what we say, and in speaking with composure.

Francois Fenelon

There is a set of religious, or rather moral, writings which teach that virtue is the certain road to happiness, and vice to misery in this world. A very wholesome and comfortable doctrine, and to which we have but one objection, namely, that it is n...

Francois Fenelon

A good historian is timeless; although he is a patriot, he will never flatter his country in any respect.

Francois Fenelon

Little opportunities should be improved.

Francois Fenelon

If we were faultless we should not be so much annoyed by the defects of those with whom we associate.

Francois Fenelon

Had we not faults of our own, we should take less pleasure in complaining of others.

Francois Fenelon

Exactness and neatness in moderation is a virtue, but carried to extremes narrows the mind.

Francois Fenelon

Nothing is more despicable than a professional talker who uses his words as a quack uses his remedies.

Francois Fenelon

All earthly delights are sweeter in expectation than in enjoyment; but all spiritual pleasures more in fruition than in expectation.

Francois Fenelon

Children are excellent observers, and will often perceive your slightest defects. In general, those who govern children, forgive nothing in them, but everything in themselves.

Francois Fenelon

Children are very nice observers, and they will often perceive our slightest defects. It general those who govern children forgive nothing in them, but everything in themselves.

Francois Fenelon

What then are we afraid of? Can we have too much of God? Is it a misfortune to be freed from the heavy yoke of the world, and to bear the light burden of Jesus Christ? Do we fear to be too happy, too much deliver from ourselves, from the caprices of ...

Francois Fenelon

Those who correct others should watch for the Holy Spirit to go ahead of them and touch a person's heart. Learn to imitate Him who reproves gently. . . . When you become outraged over a person's fault, it is generally not "righteous indignation" but ...

Francois Fenelon

All wars are civil wars because all men are brothers... Each one owes infinitely more to the human race than to the particular country in which he was born.

Francois Fenelon

Peace does not dwell in outward things but within the soul; we may preserve it in the midst of the bitterest pain, if our will remains firm and submissive. Peace in this life springs from acquiescence to, not an exemption from, suffering.

Francois Fenelon

The wind of God is always blowing... but you must hoist your sail.

Francois Fenelon

Author Bio

  • NameFrancois Fenelon
  • DescriptionCatholic bishop
  • BornAugust 6, 1651
  • DiedJanuary 7, 1715
  • CountryFrance
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Theologian; Writer; Priest; Poet; Cleric