'Faith in the Human Being'

'Each person is important; each is capable of changing, evolving, becoming a little more open, responding to love and to communion. I would like to pass on to others this faith in human beings and in their capacity for growth. Without it, our societies are in danger of becoming purely paternalistic in their attitude to those who are weaker, doing things for them rather than helping them to stand on their own feet so that they can do things for themselves and then open themselves to others. Our societies are in danger of rejecting those who disturb them too much, and sometimes of even wanting to get rid of them.'

- Jean Vanier, Our Journey Home, p. 147