Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes

I know by myself how incomprehensible God is, seeing I cannot comprehend the parts of my own being.

What does God hate or punish except self-will? Let self-will cease, and there will be no hell. On what does that fire feed except on self-will?

Love seeks no cause beyond itself and no fruit; it is its own fruit, its own enjoyment. I love because I love; I love in order that I may love.

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

Jesus, what made You so small? LOVE!

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.

The heart of Christ can be seen through the openings of his wounds. For what can prove to me so clearly as your wounds that you, O Lord Jesus, are sweet & mild & plenteous in mercy.

As patience leads to peace, and study to science, so are humiliations the path that leads to humility.

Do what Jesus says… what he commands through his ministers who are in the Church [see 1 Cor 6:4]. Be subject to his vicars, your leaders, not only those who are gentle and kind, but even those who are overbearing [see 1 Pt 2:18].

How beautiful then is modesty and what a gem among virtues it is.