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A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend.

Bernard of Clairvaux

It was love that motivated His self-emptying, that led Him to become a little lower than angels, to be subject to parents, to bow His head beneath the Baptist’s hands, to endure the weakness of the flesh, and to submit to death even upon the cross
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Angel Benefit Hands led Motivated Self
It is a fault, not a virtue, to wish your humility recognized and applauded.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Faults Humility Wish
Persecution shows who is a hireling, and who a true pastor.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Catholic Pastor Persecution
It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Humble Humility Lows
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

Life Nature Religion
If anyone makes himself his own master in the spiritual life, he makes himself scholar to a fool.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Fool Masters Spiritual
Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the Son by the great praise we lavish on the Mother; for the more she is honored, the greater is the glory of her Son. There can be no doubt that whatever we say in praise of the Mother gives equal praise to the Son.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Christian Honored More Mother Son
The rivers of Grace cannot flow uphill, up the steep cliff of the proud man’s heart.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Heart Men River
Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are, as it were, the two arms of the soul, with which it embraces and comprehends with all the saints the length and breath, the height and depth, that is the eternity, the love, the goodness, and the wisdom of God.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Arm Delight Knowledge Soul Two Understanding
Both the nail and the wound cry out that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself… Through these sacred wounds we can see the secret of his heart, the great mystery of love.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Christ Cry Heart Love Mystery Nail Sacred
Nay, what is worse, turning over corrupt and evil thoughts in mine heart, I thrust a dreadful offensiveness into His presence.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Dreadful Offensiveness Presence
There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Coming Men Saint Three
Let Thy glances fall.Thy cross of agony,My Beloved, look on me;Turn me wholly unto Thee;”Be thou whole,” say openly:”I forgive thee all.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Agony Beloved Cross Forgive
My child, seek those things which make for peace. Cease to stir up the King against the Church, and urge upon him a better course of action. If you will promise to do this, I in return promise to entreat the merciful Lord to grant you offspring.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Children Kings Promise Upon Urge
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

Benefactor Benefits Pride Use
True penance consists in regretting without ceasing the faults of the past, and in firmly resolving to never again commit that which is so deplorable.
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

Past Regret Resolving Saint

A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend.

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A pretext is never lacking to him who would break with a friend.

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