Quotes by Bernard of Clairvaux

“There is no greater misery than false joys.”

“Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire... Fear is the motive which constrains the slav...”

“It is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists.”

“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.”

“Jesus the very thought of TheeWith sweetness fills my breast;But sweeter far Thy face to see,And in Thy presence rest.”

“Bring a mirror and let a dirty face recognize itself.”

“So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot even answer for my righteousness!”

“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.”

“Qui me amat, amet et canem meum. (Who loves me will love my dog also.)”

“Who loves me will love my dog also.”

“It is a misery to be born a pain to live a trouble to die.”

“What we love we shall grow to resemble.”

“He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.”

“Bring a mirror and let a dirty face recognize itself.”

“It is a misery to be born a pain to live a trouble to die.”

“What we love we shall grow to resemble.”

“Experto crede: aliquid amplius invenies in silvis, quam in libris. Ligna et lapides docebunt te, quod a magistris audire non possis.”

“Liberavi animam meam.”

“Bestia illa de Apocalypsi, cui datum est os loquens blasphemias, et bellum gerere cum sanctis (Apoc. XIII, 5-7), Petri cathedram occupat, tanquam leo paratus ad praedam.”

“Non est jam dicere, Ut populus, sic sacerdos; quia nec si populus, ut sacerdos.”