Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cistwas a French abbot and the primary reformer for the Cistercian order...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionClergyman
CountryFrance
hate self fire
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?
angel self hands
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
selfish men greed
Neither fear nor self-interest can convert the soul. They may change the appearance, perhaps even the conduct, but never the object of supreme desire... Fear is the motive which constrains the slave; greed binds the selfish man, by which he is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). But neither fear nor self-interest is undefiled, nor can they convert the soul. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives.
heart self soul
there are four degrees of love: 1) Love of self for self's sake. 2) Love of God for self's sake. 3) Love of God for God's own sake. 4) Love of self for God's sake.
christ sinner washed
I was made a sinner by deriving my being from Adam; I am made just by being washed in the blood of Christ and not by Christ's 'words and example.'
furs lacking people surely
There are people who go clad in tunics and have nothing to do with furs, who nevertheless are lacking in humility. Surely humility in furs is better than pride in tunics.
answer god himself
You wish me to tell you why and how God should be loved. My answer is that God himself is the reason he is to be loved.
spirituality reborn gods-will
God will become visible as God's image is reborn in you.
humility pride fur
Humility in furs is better than pride in tunics.
angel wine tears
The tears of those repenting are the wine of angels.
jesus fall compassion
Prostrate, see Thy cross I grasp,And Thy pierced feet I clasp;Gracious Jesus, spurn me not;On me, with compassion fraught,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.
lord dies
Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
choices grace doe
It's not as if grace did one half of the work and free choice the other; each does the whole work, in its own peculiar contribution. Grace does the whole work, and so does free choice - with this one qualification: That whereas the whole is done in free choice, so is the whole done of grace.
teacher over-you church
Obey your bishop! "Obey those set over you [Heb 13:17]," the teachers of the Church.... I remind you, my dear friends, of what I said when I was with you: do not receive any outside or unknown preacher, unless he be sent by your bishop or preaches with the permission of the pope. For "how shall they preach unless they are sent [Rom 10:15]?