Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) – Apophthegmata

Saint Ignatius of Loyola (16th century) by French School, Anonymous

SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA (1491-1556) – APOPHTHEGMATA

Let your first rule of action be to trust in God as if success depended entirely on yourself and not on him: but use all your efforts as if God alone did everything, and yourself nothing.

The man who sets about making others better is wasting his time, unless he begins with himself.

Charity and kindness unwedded to truth are not charity and kindness, but deceit and vanity.

So you lay your affairs aside till next month or next year? Why, where do you get your confidence that you will live so long?

Never say or do anything until you have asked yourself whether it will be pleasing to God, good for yourself, and edifying to your neighbor.

When you say anything in secret, speak as if you were speaking to the whole world.

If God makes you suffer greatly, it is a sign that he wants to make you a great saint.

If a man wants to reform the world, either by reason of the authority of his position or the duty of his office, he must begin with himself.

Less knowledge, more virtue!

Beware of condemning any man’s action. Consider your neighbor’s intention, which is often honest and innocent, even though his act seems bad in outward appearance. 

 

Link: https://aleteia.org/2017/07/31/10-inspiring-quotes-from-st-ignatius-loyola/

 

—Philip Kosloski, “10 Inspiring Quotes from St. Ignatius Loyola,” Aleteia.org, July 31, 2017