For they certainly would be deserving of the greatest punishment who, after obtaining this dignity through their own ambition, should then either on account of sloth, or wickedness, or even inexperience, abuse the office. Not that we are to gather from this that there is pardon in store for those who have not been thus ambitious. Yea, even they too are deprived of all excuse.
St John Chrysostom
There is nothing more important, nothing better, than to enter into a state of life to which God has called us, and to make choice of a vocation which His providence has destined for us. This is not what the majority do, it is mere chance, caprice, a spirit of interested ambition, or a blind love which leads them onwards, it is through such irregular motives which lead them to adopt a particular state of life.
Le Pere Nepvue
He who does not follow the will of God in his choice of a state of life, is always in danger, and on the other hand, he who follows the path which our Lord has marked out for him, is always safe.
Massillion
When seculars have once chosen their secular state, let them persevere in it, and in the devout exercises which they have begun, and in their works of charity, and they shall have contentment at their death.
St Philip Neri
Learn then, Priest and Levite, what it means to wash your clothes. You must have a pure body wherewith to offer up the sacraments. If the people were forbidden to approach their victim unless they washed their clothes, do you, while foul in heart and body, dare to make supplication for others? Do you dare to make an offering for them?
St Ambrose
A clergyman who engages in business, and who rises from poverty to wealth, and from obscurity to a high position, avoid as you would the plague.
St Jerome
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