Always bear in mind that in the spiritual life beginnings count for little; we look for progress and attainment. Judas began well, but finished badly, and St Paul finished well although he had begun badly. Perfection lies in unvarying perseverance, in the acquisition of the virtues and in progress in them because, in the sight of God, not to advance is to fall back, since man never remains in the same state. [p. 121]

(St Vincent de Paul. From Jacques Delarue, The Holiness of Vincent de Paul, Geoffrey Chapman Ltd, London 1960, 132 pp)