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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

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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
Truth
Necessary
Devotion
May
Rest
Desires
Must
Issues
Killed
Substances
Heart
Alone
Substance
Proceeding
Kind
Spiritual
Affection
Consist
Things
Desire
Issue
Represented
True
Pass
Imperfection
Order
Perfection
Attachment

More quotes by John of the Cross

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Contemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which, if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.
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At the end of our life, we shall all be judged by charity.
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Now that I no longer desire all, I have it all without desire.
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Seek in reading and thou shalt find in meditation knock in prayer and it shall be opened in contemplation.
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If you lose an opportunity you will be like one who lets the bird fly away you will never get it back.
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Desolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.
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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.
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Live as though only God and yourself were in this world, so that your heart may not be detained by anything human.
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To reach satisfaction in all desire its possession in nothing, To come to the knowledge of all desire the knowledge of nothing. To come to possess all desire the possession of nothing. To arrive at being all desire to be nothing.
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Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.
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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.
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God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform.
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The centre of the soul is God and, when the soul has attained to Him according to the whole capacity of its being, which is the strength and virtue of the soul, it will have reached the last and the deep centre of the soul, which will be when with all its powers it loves and understands and enjoys God.
John of the Cross
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Lord, I shall see you no more with the eyes of the flesh.
John of the Cross
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Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.
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Not to follow the advice of our confessor is pride and a want of faith.
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Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.
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There is nothing better or morenecessary than love.
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Have a great love for those who contradict and fail to love you, for in this way love is begotten in a heart that has no love.
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Let my soul live as if separated from my body.
John of the Cross