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Obedience is a penance of reason, and, on that account, a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances and mortifications.

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
Obedience
Accounts
Sacrifice
Mortifications
Reason
Corporal
Mortification
Penance
Acceptable
Account

More quotes by John of the Cross

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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.
John of the Cross
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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
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Not to follow the advice of our confessor is pride and a want of faith.
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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
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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
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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.
John of the Cross
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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
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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
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In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.
John of the Cross
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God leads every soul by a separate path.
John of the Cross
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If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection.
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.
John of the Cross
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When there is no love, pour in love and you shall draw out love.
John of the Cross
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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.
John of the Cross
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At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.
John of the Cross
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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
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There is nothing better or morenecessary than love.
John of the Cross
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Desolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.
John of the Cross
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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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God passes through the thicket of the world, and wherever His glance falls He turns all things to beauty.
John of the Cross