Quote

Now that I no longer desire all, I have it all without desire.

John of the Cross

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John of the Cross
Age: 49 †
Born: 1542
Born: June 24
Died: 1591
Died: December 14
Carmelite Friar
Catholic Priest
Poet
Saint
Writer
Saint John of the Cross
Juan de la Cruz
Desire
Without
Longer

More quotes by John of the Cross

Image
In search of my Love I will go over mountains and strands I will gather no flowers, I will fear no wild beasts And pass by the mighty and the frontiers.
John of the Cross
Image
In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed.
John of the Cross
Image
However high be your endeavors, unless you renounce and subjugate your own will - unless you forget yourself and all that pertains to yourself - not one step will you advance on the road to perfection.
John of the Cross
Image
If it were given to a man to see virtue's reward in the next world, he would occupy his intellect, memory and will in nothing but good works, careless of danger or fatigue.
John of the Cross
Image
Silence is God's first language.
John of the Cross
Image
If you lose an opportunity you will be like one who lets the bird fly away you will never get it back.
John of the Cross
Image
God is a dark night to man in this life.
John of the Cross
Image
However softly we speak, God is so close to us that he can hear us nor do we need wings to go in search of him, but merely to seek solitude and contemplate him within ourselves, without being surprised to find such a good Guest there.
John of the Cross
Image
For true devotion must issue from the heart, and consist in the truth and substances alone of what is represented by spiritual things all the rest is affection and attachment proceeding from imperfection and in order that one may pass to any kind of perfection it is necessary for such desires to be killed.
John of the Cross
Image
Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.
John of the Cross
Image
My sole occupation is love.
John of the Cross
Image
I have said this to explain the stanza that follows, in which the soul replies to those who call in question its holy tranquillity, who will have it wholly occupied with outward duties, that its light may shine before the world: these persons have no conception of the fibres and the unseen root whence the sap is drawn, and which nourish the fruit.
John of the Cross
Image
A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.
John of the Cross
Image
Desolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.
John of the Cross
Image
Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.
John of the Cross
Image
When there is no love, pour in love and you shall draw out love.
John of the Cross
Image
Never listen to accounts of the frailty of others and if anyone should complain to you of another, humbly ask him not to speak about him at all.
John of the Cross
Image
The soul of one who serves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, is always in her palace of jubilation, ever singing with fresh ardor and fresh pleasure a new song of joy and love.
John of the Cross
Image
Let my soul live as if separated from my body.
John of the Cross
Image
In tribulation immediately draw near to God with confidence, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction.
John of the Cross