John of the Cross
Quotes
A Spanish mystic, poet, and theologian renowned for his deep writings on the soul’s union with the divine. He described the transformative spiritual journey as one marked by trials, often called the "dark night of the soul." His poetry and prose highlight themes of love, surrender, and the purifying nature of suffering. His influence spans centuries, inspiring seekers of mysticism across various traditions.
John of the Cross
Quotes
A Spanish mystic, poet, and theologian renowned for his deep writings on the soul’s union with the divine. He described the transformative spiritual journey as one marked by trials, often called the "dark night of the soul." His poetry and prose highlight themes of love, surrender, and the purifying nature of suffering. His influence spans centuries, inspiring seekers of mysticism across various traditions.
Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.
See that you are not suddenly saddened by the adversities of this world, for you do not know the good they bring, being ordained in the judgments of God for the everlasting joy of the elect.
Never listen to accounts of the frailty of others; and if anyone should complain to you of another, humbly ask him not to speak about him at all.
Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every desire.
The purest suffering bears and carries in its train the purest understanding.
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.
Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.
To love is to be transformed into what we love. To love God is therefore to be transformed into God.
Have a great love for those who contradict and fail to love you, for in this way love is begotten in a heart that has no love.
Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.
Seek in reading and thou shalt find in meditation; knock in prayer and it shall be opened in contemplation.
If it were given to a man to see virtue's reward in the next world, he would occupy his intellect, memory and will in nothing but good works, careless of danger or fatigue.
When there is no love, pour in love and you shall draw out love.
Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.
Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ doesn't seek the glory of Christ.
If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection.
He who loses an opportunity is like the man who lets a bird fly from his hand, for he will never recover it.
Now that I no longer desire all, I have it all without desire.
For true devotion must issue from the heart, and consist in the truth and substances alone of what is represented by spiritual things; all the rest is affection and attachment proceeding from imperfection; and in order that one may pass to any kind of perfection it is necessary for such desires to be killed.
At the end of our life, we shall all be judged by charity.
The soul that journeys to God, but doesn't shake off its cares and quiet its appetites, is like someone who drags a cart of dirt uphill.
The soul of one who serves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, is always in her palace of jubilation, ever singing with fresh ardor and fresh pleasure a new song of joy and love.
He who interrupts the course of his spiritual exercises and prayer is like a man who allows a bird to escape from his hand; he can hardly catch it again.
