Further Reference to: Humility | Simplicity

Selection of virtues:

  Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 1

The queen of the bees never goes to the fields without being accompanied by her little subjects. Similarly charity never enters a heart without finding a lodging there for itself as well as for a retinue of other virtues which it exercises and sets to work as a captain does his soldiers.

(Read further in Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 1)

Humility and Charity are the master-ropes: all others are attached to them

  Letter to Madame de Chantal

(Letters of Spiritual Direction)

Humility and charity are the master ropes; all the others are attached to them.  We need only hold on to these two: one is at the very bottom and the other at the very top.  The preservation of the whole building depends on its foundation and its roof.  We do not encounter much difficulty in practising other virtues if we keep our heart bound to the practice of these two.  They are the mother virtues, and the others follow them the way little chicks follow the mother hen. 

(Read further in Letters to Madame de Chantal, Letters of Spiritual Direction)

True simplicity is always good and agreeable to God

  Letter to Madame de Chantal, on charity and humility

(Letters to Persons in the World, True simplicity is always good and agreeable to God)

True simplicity is always good and agreeable to God.  I see that all the seasons of the year meet in your soul, that sometimes you feel the winter; on the morrow dryness, distractions, disgust, troubles, and weariness; sometimes the dews of May, with the perfume of holy flowers; sometimes the ardours of desire to please our good God.  There remains only autumn, of whose fruit, as you say, you do not see much. 

(Read further in Letters to Madame de Chantal, Letters to Persons in the World)

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