In the realm of spiritual and poetic enlightenment, few figures stand as prominently as John of the Cross. His profound insights into the human soul's journey toward divine union have left an indelible mark on the world of spirituality and literature. Today, we embark on a journey into the depths of profound wisdom and spiritual illumination through a collection of contemplative and inspirational "Quotes By John Of The Cross." Join us on this spiritual odyssey as we explore the words that continue to inspire seekers of the transcendent and the mystical.
Quotes By John Of The Cross (2024)
Delve into the profound spiritual and poetic wisdom of John of the Cross with this collection of some unique and enlightening quotes. John's words inspire a deeper understanding of the soul's journey toward divine union and offer guidance on the path to spiritual enlightenment.
"Silence is God's first language; everything else is a poor translation."
"In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but on how well we have loved."
"To reach satisfaction in all you do, desire its possession in nothing."
"Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the beloved."
"My soul is a candle that burned away the veil; only the glorious duties of light I now have."
"The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of divine union."
"The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light."
"Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others."
"If a man wishes to be sure of the road he's traveling on, then he must close his eyes and travel in the dark."
"When you are in darkness and do not know the way, let your conduct be guided by the word of God; turn to him sincerely in your heart."
"Never was there a soul that was truly rich unless it was truly poor."
"Take God for your spouse and friend, and walk with him continually; and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you."
"In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing."
"If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually."
"Endeavor to remain always in the presence of God, either real, imaginative, or unitive, insofar as is permitted by your works."
"Love is a more deeply rooted habit than any other, and in love, the soul is always ready to serve."
"The soul's deepest desire is to be one with God."
"I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible."
"The pure soul is like a fine pearl. As long as it is hidden in the shell, at the bottom of the sea, no one thinks of admiring it. But when it is brought into the sunshine, this pearl shines and dazzles all eyes. Thus the pure soul, which is hidden from the eyes of the world, shone with the divine light when it is brought out into the open."
"Let yourself be consumed by the fire of divine love, and you will become an angel."
"It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others."
"The deeper the experience of an absence of God, the greater the love for God."
"Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification."
"Love is a more deeply rooted habit than any other."
"The soul that walks in love neither tires others nor grows tired."
"In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but on how well we have loved."
"To reach satisfaction in all, desire its possession in nothing."
"What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love."
"Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love."
"God is more pleased by one work, however small, done secretly, without desire that it be known, than a thousand done with the desire that men know of them."
"It is best to learn to silence the faculties and to cause them to be still so that God may speak."
"In the dark night of the soul, bright flows the river of God."
"One act of thanksgiving when things go wrong with us is worth a thousand thanks when things are agreeable to our inclinations."
"To love is to be transformed into what we love."
"I only live insofar as I love."
"Love is the soul's light."
"The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of divine union. For whether it be a strong wire rope or a slender and delicate thread that holds the bird, it matters not, if it really holds it fast; for until the cord be broken, the bird cannot fly."
"There is no other way to perfection than by suffering."
"A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul."
"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone."
"The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things."
"Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will gather love."
"God's love is like a river, constantly flowing, always giving, and never-ending."
"The soul that is in the hands of God, and the soul that is in its own hands, are two souls in two entirely different worlds."
"The less there is of you, the more there is of God."
"To reach satisfaction in all, desire satisfaction in nothing."
"Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things pass away: God never changes."
"Love is the measure by which we shall be judged."
"If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark."
"Where there is no love, pour love, and you will draw love out."
"When you are weary or downcast, turn to God and not to others."
"Do not think that satisfying desires will satisfy the soul, for the soul's desire is to satisfy God."
"Endeavor to remain always in the presence of God."
"To live in peace, it is necessary to cut out desires."
"What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue."
"The closer one approaches to God, the simpler one becomes."
"In your patience, you shall possess your souls."
"The deeper the work of God in the soul, the less it is noticed by the soul itself."
"Faith is the beginning, middle, and end of transformation."
"To come to possess all, desire the possession of nothing."
"In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose."
"The darkest night is often the bridge to the brightest tomorrow."
"The soul that is quick to turn to speaking, is slow to turn to God."
"God's wisdom is not acquired by driving the intellect but by having no wish to understand."
"The divine language that the soul learns in prayer opens up new horizons, a new consciousness, and a new experience of reality."
"Do not consider what they say, but what they desire."
"Our greatest need is to be silent before this great God."
"Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation."
"To love is to be transformed into what we love. To love God is therefore to be transformed into God."
"Do not desire to be attached to anything."
"The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane."
"At the evening of life, we will be judged on love."
"One act of thanksgiving when things go wrong with us is worth a thousand thanks when things are agreeable to us."
"Deny your desires and you will find what your heart longs for."
"God has to work in the soul in secret and in darkness because if we fully knew what was happening, and what Mystery, transformation, God, and Grace will eventually ask of us, we would either try to take charge or stop the whole process."
"Silent solitude makes true speech possible and personal. If I am not in touch with my own belovedness, then I cannot touch the sacredness of others."
"What does the name of Jesus signify but God Savior?"
"The soul's true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing."
"Love is never without fear."
"In tribulation immediately draw near to God with confidence, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction."
"The Lord measures out perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them."
"To know God, a person must pass through a deep and dark night."
"The soul is like an uninhabited world that comes to life only when God lays His head against us."
"The divine Word is food for the soul."
"God gave us faculties for our use; each of them will receive its proper reward. Then do not let us try to charm them to sleep, but permit them to do their work until divinely called to something higher."
"O sweetest love of God, so little known, whoever has found this rich mine is at rest!"
"All the way to heaven is heaven."
"Beloved, all that is harsh and difficult I want for myself, and all that is gentle and sweet for thee."
"Oh, if you only knew the peace there is in an accepted sorrow and a surrendered suffering!"
"God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint."
"Endeavor to remain always in the presence of God; your life will then be spent well."
"The soul that is quick to turn to speaking and conversing is slow to turn to God."
"In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing. Nothing wearies it by elation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection because it stands in the center of its own humility."
"To come to the pleasure you have not, you must go by a way in which you enjoy not."
"What a good God we have, who is so desirous of our well-being and careful about it that he gives us such close company as the angelic spirits!"
"The more the soul is shattered, the more it reflects God."
"Souls will be unable to reach perfection who do not strive to be content with having nothing, in such fashion that their natural and spiritual desire is satisfied with emptiness."
"Your soul is so close to God, you cannot be any closer."
"The soul that is united and transformed in God breathes God in God with God."
"The darker the night, the brighter the stars."
"I would willingly ask God for suffering, provided that it is accompanied by these three virtues: humility, hope, and love."
"To endure isolation in order to have peace, is not true solitude; the soul that is strong and elevated in God, breaks through all the clouds and mounts up into the eternal light."
"Love is the measure by which we will be judged."
"Never was an empty heart filled with God's love."
As we reflect upon these quotes, we are reminded that the pursuit of spiritual awakening and divine union is a journey that transcends time and space. The enduring relevance of John of the Cross's words lies in their ability to inspire and guide seekers of the transcendent, reminding us that the quest for inner transformation and the embrace of divine love are timeless pursuits. "Quotes By John Of The Cross" stand as a testament to the enduring human yearning for spiritual connection and enlightenment, urging us to continue our voyage of self-discovery and divine communion, ever closer to the heart of the Divine.
