Quotes by Jean Vanier

I am convinced that in the present time, in spite of the difficulties man has to meet another in a state of oblation, communion and gift of self, there are latent hidden forces in him which can be awakened in order to enable him to discover and live this reality of love and fidelity. In order to really penetrate into this mystery of the union of the couple, it is essential that each one acquire an interior maturity, a maturity that is perhaps rare. I would add that in order to be truly united and to remain truly faithful to one another, the couple must listen and be open to the Spirit of God who has reserved for Himself the science of the heart. The heart of man is satisfied only by the Infinite and to discover this Infinite in union he must open himself to the Spirit of God, a spirit of giving, of receiving. The union between the two spouses can thus deepen to such an extent that they enter in a mystical manner into the very life of God Himself.

Envy comes from peoples ignorance of or lack of belief in their own gifts.

Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness.

“I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes.”

“The friend of time doesnt spend all day saying: I havent got time. He doesnt fight with time. He accepts it and cherishes it.”

“[Happiness] comes when we choose to be who we are, to be ourselves, at this present moment in our lives.”