Quotes from 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
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
Have death always before your eyes as a salutary means of returning to God.
- 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
Hell is full of good wishes or desires.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
There is no greater misery than false joys.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
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.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
Prayer is a virtue that prevaileth against all temptations.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
Let your prayer for temporal blessings be strictly limited to things absolutely necessary.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
What I know of the divine sciences and Holy Scriptures, I learned in woods and fields. I have no other masters than the beeches and the oaks.
- 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