Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Jean Baptiste Massillon (French Bishop)

Jean-Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742) was a French Catholic bishop and renowned preacher, celebrated for his eloquent sermons and influential theological writings. As bishop of Clermont from 1717 until his death, he dedicated himself to promoting religious education and reform within his diocese.

Born in Hyères, Provence, Massillon joined the Jesuit order at an early age and studied theology in Paris. His oratorical skill and deep understanding of Catholic doctrine quickly set him apart, earning him a reputation as a powerful and moving speaker.

Massillon’s most notable work, Sermons (1742,) is a collection of his public sermons that illustrate his eloquence and profound theological insight. Delivered before the court of Louis XIV, these sermons were marked by emotional depth, clarity, and themes of moral reform, humility, and divine mercy. His preaching was admired for its intellectual rigor and moral seriousness, resonating deeply with audiences, including the French aristocracy.

He also authored L’esprit chrétien (1717; The Christian Spirit,) a theological examination of the spiritual life from a Catholic perspective, and Reflexions sur la predication (1732; Reflections on Preaching,) a work discussing the art of preaching and the moral responsibilities of the clergy. His writings and sermons left a lasting impact on religious thought and the practice of preaching.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Jean Baptiste Massillon

I love a serious preacher, who speaks for my sake and not for his own; who seeks my salvation, and not his own vainglory. He best deserves to be heard who uses speech only to clothe his thoughts, and his thoughts only to promote truth and virtue. Nothing is more detestable than a professed declaimer, who retails his discourses as a quack does his medicine.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: Preaching

Religion would not have enemies, if it were not an enemy to their vices.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: Religion

The belief of a future state is a troublesome check on human passions, and one can never make libertines tranquil and resolute without having first made them unbelievers.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: Immortality

There are some sins which are more justly to be denominated surprises than infidelities. To such the world should be lenient, as, doubtless, Heaven is forgiving.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: Sin

I would have none of that rigid and circumspect charity which is never exercised without scrutiny, and which always mistrusts the reality of the necessities laid open to it.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: Charity

Time is short—your obligations are infinite.—Are your houses regulated, your children instructed, the afflicted relieved, the poor visited, the work of piety accomplished?
—Jean Baptiste Massillon

God should be the object of all our desires, the end of all our actions, the principle of all our affections, and the governing power of our whole souls.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: God

To be proud and inaccessible is to be timid and weak.
—Jean Baptiste Massillon
Topics: Pride

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