As a Catholic, my faith tells me that the Church has a divine origin, but my own experience tells me that it must be divine because no human institution run with an equal mixture of ineptitude and wickedness would have lasted a fortnight.
–Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)
And to remain at a standstill is impossible; he that gains not, loses in this traffic; he that ascends not, descends upon this ladder; he that vanquishes not in this battle, is vanquished.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
While those who give scandal are guilty of the spiritual equivalent of murder, those who take scandal — who allow scandals to destroy faith —are guilty of spiritual suicide.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
The spiritual virtue of a sacrament is like light; although it passes among the impure, it is not polluted.
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
Beware of despairing about yourself: you are commanded to put your trust in God, and not in yourself.
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.
–Saint Augustine (354-430)
