He who stays not in his littleness, loses his greatness

He who stays not in his littleness, loses his greatness

Saint Francis de Sales, a 16th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church, is known for his teachings on humility and spiritual growth. One of his most famous quotes is, “He who stays not in his littleness, loses his greatness.” This statement encapsulates the essence of his teachings on humility and the importance of remaining grounded in one’s true self.

In the context of Saint Francis de Sales, this quote emphasizes the importance of humility in the spiritual life. According to him, true greatness lies in recognizing one’s own limitations and weaknesses, and in acknowledging that all good things come from God. By staying in one’s “littleness,” or recognizing one’s own smallness in comparison to the greatness of God, one can avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-centeredness.

Saint Francis de Sales believed that humility was the key to spiritual growth and closeness to God. He taught that humility was not about self-deprecation or low self-esteem, but rather about recognizing one’s own worth and value in the eyes of God. By staying in one’s littleness, one can remain open to God’s grace and guidance, and can grow in holiness and virtue.

On the other hand, Saint Francis de Sales warned that those who lose sight of their littleness and become prideful or arrogant risk losing their greatness. Pride, he believed, was the root of all sin and the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth. By exalting oneself above others and forgetting one’s dependence on God, one can easily fall into sin and lose the virtues that make one truly great in the eyes of God.