FRANÇOIS FÉNELON
(1651 – 1715)
Our faults, even those most difficult to bear, will all be of service to us, if we make use of them in humility (without relaxing our efforts to correct them). It does no good to be discouraged: that would be the result of a disappointed and despairing self-love. The true method of profiting by the humiliation of our faults, is to look at them in all their deformity, without losing our hope in God, and without having any confidence in ourselves. We must bear with ourselves without either flattery or discouragement, a balance seldom attained; for we either expect great things of ourselves and of our good intentions, or wholly despair. We must hope nothing for self, but wait for everything from God.
