QuoteProject
We must fear God out of love, not love Him out of fear.
Saint Francis De Sales
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

True love for God comes from a place of affection rather than obligation or fear.

This quote emphasizes the importance of a loving and reverent relationship with God, suggesting that authentic devotion should stem from love and admiration rather than from fear of punishment or retribution. It advocates for a heartfelt connection that inspires genuine faith and devotion, promoting a relationship built on love instead of fear-based compliance.

Themes

LoveFearGodDevotionFaithRelationship

In practice

Example use cases

During a sermon at church, to emphasize the importance of love in faith.

More from Saint Francis De Sales

Since God often sends us inspirations by means of His angels, we should frequently return our aspirations to him by means of the same messengers.
Saint Francis De SalesRead
You can attract more bees with a spoonful of sugar than a cupful of vinegar.
Saint Francis De SalesRead
Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. I mean do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage
Saint Francis De SalesRead
Represent to yourself a dark city all burning and stinking with fire and brimstone. The damned are in the depth of hell within this woful city, where they suffer unspeakable torments in all their senses and members. Consider above all the eternity of their pains, which above all things makes hell intolerable.
Saint Francis De SalesRead
Lately I was near the beehives and some of the bees flew onto my face. I wanted to raise my hand, and brush them off. 'No,' said a peasant to me, 'do not be afraid, and do not touch them. They will not sting you at all, if you touch them they will bite you.' I trusted him; not one bit me. Trust me; do not fear these temptations. Do not touch them; they will not hurt you.
Saint Francis De SalesRead
There is no better means of attainment to the spiritual life Than by continually beginning again.
Saint Francis De SalesRead

Similar quotes

Love may, indeed, love the beloved when her beauty is lost: but not because it is lost. Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them: but Love cannot cease to will their removal. Love is more sensitive than hatred itself to every blemish in the beloved… Of all powers he forgives most, but he condones least: he is pleased with little, but demands all.
C. S. LewisRead
To lose balance sometimes for love is part of living a balanced life.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun.
William ShakespeareRead
The romantics would call this a love story, the cynics would call it a tragedy. In my mind it’s a little bit of both, and no matter how you choose to view it in the end, it does not change the fact that it involves a great deal of my life and the path I’ve chosen to follow.
Nicholas SparksRead
There is more to sex appeal than just measurements
Audrey HepburnRead
But hurry, let's entwine ourselves as one, our mouth broken, our soul bitten by love, so time discovers us safely destroyed.
Federico Garcia LorcaRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.