Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes
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The rivers of Grace cannot flow uphill, up the steep cliff of the proud man's heart.
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As patience leads to peace, and study to science, so are humiliations the path that leads to humility.
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Humility in furs is better than pride in tunics.
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If then you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than as a canal. For a canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, few reservoirs.
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Vines and trees will teach you that which you will never learn from masters.
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My child, seek those things which make for peace. Cease to stir up the King against the Church, and urge upon him a better course of action. If you will promise to do this, I in return promise to entreat the merciful Lord to grant you offspring.
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The Eucharist is that love which surpasses all loves in Heaven and on earth
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Believe one who has tried, you shall find a fuller satisfaction in the woods than in the books. The trees and the rocks will teach you that which you cannot hear from the masters.
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We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason; nothing is more reasonable, nothing more profitable.
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You wish to see; listen. Hearing is a step toward Vision.
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The heart of Christ can be seen through the openings of his wounds. For what can prove to me so clearly as your wounds that you, O Lord Jesus, are sweet & mild & plenteous in mercy.
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It is a fault, not a virtue, to wish your humility recognized and applauded.
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Obey your bishop! "Obey those set over you [Heb 13:17]," the teachers of the Church... I remind you, my dear friends, of what I said when I was with you: do not receive any outside or unknown preacher, unless he be sent by your bishop or preaches with the permission of the pope. For "how shall they preach unless they are sent [Rom 10:15]?"
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Expect much of God, and he will do much for you.
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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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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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The spiteful tongue strikes a deadly blow at charity in all who hear him speak and, so far as it can, destroys root and branch, not only in the immediate hearers but also in all others to whom the slander, flying from lip to lip, is afterwards repeated.
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How beautiful then is modesty and what a gem among virtues it is.
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A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend.
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Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor.
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Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are, as it were, the two arms of the soul, with which it embraces and comprehends with all the saints the length and breath, the height and depth, that is the eternity, the love, the goodness, and the wisdom of God.
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Learn first to love yourself, and then you can love me.
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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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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].
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The peacemakers shall be called the sons of God, who came to make peace between God and man. What then shall the sowers of discord be called, but the children of the devil? And what must they look for but their father's portion?
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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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What does God hate or punish except self-will? Let self-will cease, and there will be no hell. On what does that fire feed except on self-will?
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The measure of love is love without measure.
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Have death always before your eyes as a salutary means of returning to God.
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Therefore gird yourselves manfully and take up joyful arms for the name of God.
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