Quote

Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every 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
Learn
Delights
Desire
Attain
True
Attachment
Firsts
Relax
First
Possession
Every
Delight
Never
Deny
Spiritual

More quotes by John of the Cross

Image
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.
John of the Cross
Image
Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out.
John of the Cross
Image
Beloved, all that is harsh and difficult I want for myself, and all that is gentle and sweet for thee.
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
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
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
Seek in reading and thou shalt find in meditation knock in prayer and it shall be opened in contemplation.
John of the Cross
Image
They say, God told me, or God replied to me. And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.
John of the Cross
Image
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.
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
He who loves is not ashamed before men of what he does for God, neither does he hide it through shame though the whole world should condemn it.
John of the Cross
Image
If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection.
John of the Cross
Image
To love is to be transformed into what we love. To love God is therefore to be transformed into God.
John of the Cross
Image
Lord, I shall see you no more with the eyes of the flesh.
John of the Cross
Image
Desolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.
John of the Cross
Image
When there is no love, pour in love and you shall draw out love.
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
Silence is God's first language.
John of the Cross
Image
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.
John of the Cross
Image
Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to his good pleasure and rest in him.
John of the Cross