Sayings and Maxims of Saint John Bosco
We have two wings with which to fly to heaven: confession and Communion.
– My method of education is very simple: to leave young people full freedom to do what they enjoy. The important thing is to discover their good gifts and work to develop them. And since each of them does what he is capable of, I encourage him in it; so all my pupils work not only diligently but with love and enthusiasm.
A child’s greatest happiness is knowing that he is loved. Children are God’s joy.
Go to confession to the priest, for confession is an act of humility that pleases the Lord.
Good works are the true wealth that prepares a place for us in heaven.
Take great care over all your actions. Act today in such a way that you will not be ashamed tomorrow.
Whoever refuses to suffer with Christ on earth will not rejoice with him in heaven.
People’s praise and blame are all the same to me: if they praise me, they are saying what I ought to be; if they blame me, they are saying what I am.
Holy Communion is one of the two pillars that hold up the world; the other is devotion to the Virgin Mary.
– Putting off conversion puts eternal salvation in danger.
I urge you to be humble, for humility is the virtue of students; a proud student is nothing but a conceited ignoramus.
God loves the humble and the meek.
The Lord makes all things work together for the good of those who love him. Be like the bird: it feels the branch shake, but goes on singing, trusting in its wings.
For your words to carry weight and have effect, you must constantly renounce your selfishness.
Our life is short, so we must hurry to do the little we can before death takes us by surprise. This world is a stage play that passes in an instant.
When a son leaves his parents to answer God’s call, Jesus Christ takes his place in the family.
The greatest gift God can give a family is to call one of its sons to the priesthood.
Be very careful to avoid bad companions: those who try to talk indecently or do immoral things, and those who lead you to neglect your duties.
– Money does not make the human heart happy. What makes it happy, in this life and the next, is humility and charity.
The only reward is in heaven, so let’s go there!
At last I will rest in heaven; heaven alone makes up for the hardships of the road.
The devil is afraid of joyful people.
If you want health and a long life, keep: a quiet conscience, moderation in eating, an active life and the company of good people.
The sufferings of our life are our cross. What matters is not kissing the cross but carrying it as Jesus carried it.
– God always blesses children who obey their parents.
God blesses those who keep his commandments. Be obedient, and you will be a saint.
Habits formed in youth usually last a lifetime. If they are good, they lead us to virtue and promise us eternal salvation; if they are bad, woe to us if we get used to them.
We were created to work, and through diligence, perseverance and love its hardship is lifted from us.
Work is a powerful weapon against the enemies of the soul. So, dear young people, I do not recommend penances to you, but work, work and more work.
The Lord gives us many opportunities to do good; let us seize them.
I am sure that divine Providence is always present; our duty is to lend it a hand.
Rita of the Sawt el Rab team
