The simple wisdom of Saint John Vianney

This glorious saint, a Franciscan Tertiary, was responsible for the conversion of over 30,000 wayward sinners; "big fish" as he would call them. His words are simple and profound, and he proved himself to be most pleasing in the eyes of the Sovereign Lord.

The devil hated him with an especial fury, and once, out of utter frustration, revealed to him this gem: "If there were 3 such men as you on this earth, my kingdom would crumble."

He spoke most forcefully against calumny and detraction, in these and similar words:

"As long as our neighbor's faults are concealed he preserves his good name; but as soon as you make them known his reputation is injured and you thereby cause him a greater injustice than if you robbed him of his belongings, for the Holy Ghost tells us that a good name is above riches. "

"This vice spares neither good nor bad; it is enough for me to tell you, that this vice is one of those that are responsible for most of the souls that go to hell."

"To speak badly of persons consecrated to God, of the servants of the Church, is a much greater sin, on account of the lamentable results to religion and of the detriment of their position. The Holy Ghost speaking by the mouth of the prophet says: "To abuse and revile His servants is to touch the apple of His eye"; that means, nothing can offend Him more. This sin consequently is a crime, the enormity of which surpasses all comprehension. Christ also said: 'Whosoever despises you, despises Me.'"