Pope Gregory I Quotes

The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.

To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done, and to do no evil to bewail.

If the work of God could be comprehended by reason, it would no longer be wonderful, and faith would have no merit if reason provided proof.

We make Idols of our concepts, but Wisdom is born of wonder

The universe is not rich enough to buy the vote of an honest man.

Ignorance is a dangerous and spiritual poison, which all men ought warily to shun.

You don't climb a mountain in leaps and bounds, but by taking it slowly.

Affliction strengthens the vigor of our soul, whereas happiness weakens it.

The Bible is a stream of running water, where alike the elephant may swim, and the lamb walk without losing its feet.

The holy universal Church teaches that it is not possible to worship God truly except in Her and asserts that all who are outside of Her will not be saved.

You cannot acquire the gift of peace if by your anger you destroy the peace of the Lord.

Act in such a way that your humility may not be weakness, nor your authority be severity. Justice must be accompanied by humility, that humility may render justice lovable.

The bliss of the elect in heaven would not be perfect unless they were able to look across the abyss and enjoy the agonies of their brethren in eternal fire.

The greatness of contemplation can be given to none but those who love.

If the intention is unclean, the deed that follows from it will also be evil, even if it seems good.

As long as the vice of gluttony has a hold on a man, all that he has done valiantly is forfeited by him: and as long as the belly is unrestrained, all virtue comes to naught.

Obedience is the only virtue that plants the other virtues in the heart and preserves them after they have been planted.

Whoever wishes to hold the fortress of contemplation must first of all train in the camp of action.

He who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exemplify the highest things.

The human mind is prone to pride even when not supported by power; how much more, then, does it exalt itself when it has that support?

Whatsoever one would understand what he hears must hasten to put into practice what he has heard.

We ascend to the heights of contemplation by the steps of action.

What do they not see, who see Him Who sees all things?

Because God that is immutable changes what He willed, He is said to repent, although what changes is a thing and not His counsel.

I despise the proper constructions and cases, because I think it very unfitting that the words of the celestial oracle should be restricted by the rules of Donatus [a well-known grammarian].

Because He moves against faults, God is said to be angered, although He is moved by no disturbance of equanimity.