Bernard Of Clairvaux Quotes & Sayings

I have ascended to the highest in me, and look, the Word is towering above that. I have descended to explore my lowest depths, and I found Him deeper still. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

For I have learnt for a fact that nothing so effectively obtains, retains and regains grace, as that we should always be found not high-minded before God, but filled with holy fear. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

We taste Thee, O Thou Living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still:
We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

When God forgives a sinner who humbly confesses his sin, the devil loses his dominion over the heart he had taken. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place in ourselves for those who love us. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

If anyone makes himself his own master in the spiritual life, he makes himself scholar to a fool. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

I know by myself how incomprehensible God is, seeing I cannot comprehend the parts of my own being. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

My burden is light, said the blessed Redeemer, a light burden indeed, which carries him that bears it. I have looked through all nature for a resemblance of this, and seem to find a shadow of it in the wings of a bird, which are indeed borne by the creature, and yet support her flight towards heaven.The wings of a bird, which are indeed borne by the creature, and yet support her flight towards heaven — Bernard Of Clairvaux

What we love we shall grow to resemble. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Spiritual life is like living water that springs up from the very depths of our own spiritual experience. In spiritual life everyone has to drink from his or her own well. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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? — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The more I contemplate God, the more God looks on me. The more I pray to him, the more he thinks of me too. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

If you concentrate hard on the state you are in, it would be suprising if you have time for anything else. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Vines and trees will teach you that which you will never learn from masters. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Pride only, the chief of all iniquities, can make us treat gifts as if they were rightful attributes of our nature, and, while receiving benefits, rob our Benefactor of His due glory. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts, Thou fount of life, thou Light of men, From the best bliss that earth imparts We turn unfilled to Thee again. We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread, And long to feast upon Thee still: We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead, And thirst our souls from Thee to fill. O Jesus, ever with us stay, Make all our moments calm and bright; Chase the dark night of sin away, Shed o'er the world Thy holy light. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot even answer for my righteousness! — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The true measure of loving God is to love him without measure. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The reason for loving God is God Himself. As to how He is to be loved, there is only one measure: It is immeasurable! — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Love of Mary and devotion to her are a sure sign of obtaining eternal salvation. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

It is a fault, not a virtue, to wish your humility recognized and applauded. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

There are people who go clad in tunics and have nothing to do with furs, who nevertheless are lacking in humility. Surely humility in furs is better than pride in tunics. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

A saint is not someone who never sins, but one who sins less and less frequently and gets up more and more quickly. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

In his greediness, he counts all that he has clutched as nothing in comparison with what is beyond his grasp, and loses all pleasure in his actual possessions by longing after what he has not, yet covets. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Among us on the earth there is His memory; but in the Kingdom of heaven His very Presence. That Presence is the joy of those who have already attained to beatitude; the memory is the comfort of us who are still wayfarers, journeying towards the Fatherland. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

True love does not demand a reward, but it deserves one. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

And real happiness will come, not in gratifying our desires or in gaining transient pleasures, but in accomplishing God's will for us: even as we pray every day: "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven — Bernard Of Clairvaux

A truly obedient man does not discriminate between one thing and another, since his only aim is to execute faithfully whatever may be assigned to him. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Jesus to me is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, a song in the heart, — Bernard Of Clairvaux

We must know, then, what we are, and that it is not of ourselves that we are what we are. Unless we know this thoroughly, either we shall not glory at all, or our glorying will be vain. Finally, it is written, "If thou know not, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock" (Song of Solomon. 1:8). And this is right. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

What I know of the divine
science and holy scripture,
I learnt in the woods and fields. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

True penance consists in regretting without ceasing the faults of the past, and in firmly resolving to never again commit that which is so deplorable. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Action and contemplation are ... — Bernard Of Clairvaux

He won me over entirely by giving Himself entirely to me. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Death is the gate of life. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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]? — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Theirs is an endless road, a hopeless maze, who seek for goods before they seek for God. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

You wish me to tell you why and how God should be loved. My answer is that God himself is the reason he is to be loved. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Inordinate love for the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Prostrate, see Thy cross I grasp,And Thy pierced feet I clasp;Gracious Jesus, spurn me not;On me, with compassion fraught,Let Thy glances fall.Thy cross of agony,My Beloved, look on me;Turn me wholly unto Thee;"Be thou whole," say openly:"I forgive thee all. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

How beautiful then is modesty and what a gem among virtues it is. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

O Blessed Mary, whoever loves you honors God; whoever serves you pleases God; whoever invokes your holy name with a pure heart will infallibly receive the object of his petition. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Qui me amat, amet et canem meum. (Who loves me will love my dog also.) — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a sceptre but a hoe. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Love seeks no cause beyond itself and no fruit; it is its own fruit, its own enjoyment. I love because I love; I love in order that I may love. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The rivers of Grace cannot flow uphill, up the steep cliff of the proud man's heart. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Expect much of God, and he will do much for you. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The piercing nail has become a key to unlock the door, that I may see the good will of the Lord. And what can I see as I look through the hole? Both the nail and the wound cry out that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself ... Through these sacred wounds we can see the secret of his heart, the great mystery of love ... — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Slander is a poison which kills charity, both in the slanderer and the one who listens. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

God will become visible as God's image is reborn in you. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Let your prayer for temporal blessings be strictly limited to things absolutely necessary. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Let us then cast ourselves at the feet of this good Mother, and embracing them let us not depart until she blesses us, and accepts us for her children. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

If you would know whether you have made a good confession, ask yourself I you have resolved to abandon your sins. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Jesus the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

To shame our sins He blushed in blood;
He closed His eyes to show us God;
Let all the world fall down and know
That none but God such love can show — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The tears of those repenting are the wine of angels. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Therefore gird yourselves manfully and take up joyful arms for the name of God. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

There is no greater misery than false joys. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

hell is full of good wishes and desires. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Let us affectionately love His angels as counselors and defenders appointed by the Father and placed over us. They are faithful; they are prudent; they are powerful; Let us only follow them, let us remain close to them, and in the protection of the God of heaven let us abide. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

He rightly reads scripture who turns words into deeds. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

It's not as if grace did one half of the work and free choice the other; each does the whole work, in its own peculiar contribution. Grace does the whole work, and so does free choice - with this one qualification: That whereas the whole is done in free choice, so is the whole done of grace. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

First learn to love yourself, and then you can love me. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Humility is, of all graces , the chiefest when it does not know itself to be a grace at all. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

To have a restful or peaceful life in God is good; to bear a life of pain in patience is better; but to have peace in the midst of pain is the best of all. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

It is so that these impious ones wander in a circle, longing after something to gratify their yearnings, yet madly rejecting that which alone can bring them to their desired end, not by exhaustion but by attainment. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The Eucharist is that love which surpasses all loves in Heaven and on earth — Bernard Of Clairvaux

It was love that motivated His self-emptying, that led Him to become a little lower than angels, to be subject to parents, to bow His head beneath the Baptist's hands, to endure the weakness of the flesh, and to submit to death even upon the cross — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity.
There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity.
There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve; that is Love. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

I was made a sinner by deriving my being from Adam; I am made just by being washed in the blood of Christ and not by Christ's 'words and example.' — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Our King [Jesus] is accused of treachery; it is said of him [by the Muslims] that he is not God, but that he falsely pretended to be something he was not. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason; nothing is more reasonable, nothing more profitable. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The measure of love is love without measure. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

From the best bliss that earth imparts, we turn unfilled to Thee again. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Many appear full of mildness and sweetness as long as everything goes their own way; but the moment any contradiction or adversity arises, they are in a flame, and begin to rage like a burning mountain. Such people as these are like red-hot coals hidden under ashes. This is not the mildness which Our Lord undertook to teach us in order to make us like unto Himself. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

I do a great wrong in His sight, when I beseech Him that He will hear my prayer, which as I give utterance to it, I do not hear myself. I entreat Him that He will think of me; but I regard neither myself nor Him. Nay, what is worse, turning over corrupt and evil thoughts in mine heart, I thrust a dreadful offensiveness into His presence. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Love me, love my dog. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

To them that long for the presence of the living God, the thought of Him is sweetest itself: but there is no satiety, rather an ever-increasing appetite... — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Who loves me will love my dog also. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

The three most important virtues are humility, humility, and humility. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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? — Bernard Of Clairvaux

All things are possible to one who believes. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

Many of those who are humiliated are not humble. Some react to humiliation with anger, others with patience, and others with freedom. The first are culpable, the next harmless, the last just. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

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. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

O wretched slaves of Mammon, you cannot glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ while you trust in treasures laid up on earth: you cannot taste and see how gracious the Lord is, while you are hungering for gold. If you have not rejoiced at the thought of His coming, that day will be indeed a day of wrath to you. — Bernard Of Clairvaux

It is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists. — Bernard Of Clairvaux