Saint Francis Xavier — His Wisdom in 10 Quotations

In Thee, O Lord, have I put my hope. Let me never be confounded

*** 

It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.

*** 

Would to God that these men who labor so much in gaining knowledge would give as much thought to the account they must one day give to God of the use they have made of their learning and of the talents entrusted to them!

*** 

The better friends you are, the straighter you can talk, but while you are only on nodding terms, be slow to scold.

*** 

Speak to them of the great mercy of God… Sometimes people are helped by your telling of your own lamentable past.

*** 

It is impossible to find a saint who did not take the 'two P’s' seriously: prayer and penance. 

*** 

I wish they [students] would work as hard at this as they do at their books, and so settle their account with God for their learning and the talents entrusted to them.

*** 

Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians.

*** 

Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the gospel of Christ.

*** 

I've heard thousands of confessions, but never one of covetousness.