Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes
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Action and contemplation are very close companions; they live together in one house on equal terms. Martha and Mary are sisters.
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Theirs is an endless road, a hopeless maze, who seek for goods before they seek for God.
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God has aroused the spirit of kings and princes to root up from the earth the enemies of the Christian name. Therefore gird yourselves manfully and take up joyful arms for the name of Christ.
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Let no one believe that he has received the divine kiss, if he knows the truth without loving it or loves it without understanding it. But blessed is that kiss whereby not only is God recognized but also the Father is loved; for there is never full knowledge without perfect love.
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He rightly reads scripture who turns words into deeds.
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The reason for our loving God is God.
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The measure of love is love without measure.
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True love does not demand a reward, but it deserves one.
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Learn first to love yourself, and then you can love me.
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There are four degrees of love: 1) Love of self for self's sake. 2) Love of God for self's sake. 3) Love of God for God's own sake. 4) Love of self for God's sake.
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Vines and trees will teach you that which you will never learn from masters.
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There are some who wish to learn for no other reason than that they may be looked upon as learned, which is ridiculous vanity ... Others desire to learn that they may morally instruct others, that is love. And, lastly, there are some who wish to learn that they may be themselves edified; and that is prudence.
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All things are possible to one who believes.
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Wherever...thou shalt be, pray secretly within thyself. If thou shalt be far from a house of prayer, give not thyself trouble to seek for one, for thou thyself art a sanctuary designed for prayer. If thou shalt be in bed, or in any other place, pray there; thy temple is there.
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You wish to see; listen. Hearing is a step toward Vision.
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So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot even answer for my righteousness!
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I know by myself how incomprehensible God is, seeing I cannot comprehend the parts of my own being.
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And truly, O man, if you concentrate hard on the state you are in it will be surprising if you have time for anything else.
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Nothing can work me damage except myself. The harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never am a real sufferer but by my own fault.
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God will either give us what we ask, or what He knows to be better for us.
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Jesus to me is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song in the heart.
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Pride causes us to use our gifts as though they came from ourselves, not benefits received from God, and to usurp our benefactor's glory.
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The more I contemplate God, the more God looks on me. The more I pray to him, the more he thinks of me too.
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Do what Jesus says... what he commands through his ministers who are in the Church [see 1 Cor 6:4]. Be subject to his vicars, your leaders, not only those who are gentle and kind, but even those who are overbearing [see 1 Pt 2:18].