To reach satisfaction in all, desire its possession in nothing. To come to possess all, desire the possession of nothing. To arrive at being all, desire to be nothing. To come to the knowledge of all, desire the knowledge of nothing.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
He who has himself as a guide has an idiot as a disciple.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Anyone who does things lukewarmly is close to falling.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Let Christ crucified be enough for you, and with him suffer and take your rest, and hence annihilate yourself in all inward and outward things.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Contemplation is nothing else than a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
