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
soul body flesh
Inordinate love for the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul.
two understanding soul
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.
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.
wind soul grace
Ingratitude is the soul's enemy... Ingratitude is a burning wind that dries up the source of love, the dew of mercy, the streams of grace.
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]?