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John of the Cross Quotes

Saint

John of the Cross, also known as Saint John of the Cross, was a 16th-century Spanish Catholic mystic, theologian, poet, and friar, considered a significant figure in the Franciscan Order. He was born on June 24, 1542, and died on December 14, 1591.

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Famous John of the Cross Quotes

“Do not let your "eye" be drawn by the false "beacon lamps" -of wealth, or position, or fame, or possessions. Be vigilant over your will and desires, for these are the corrupt forces that dwell within, and keep you from living free.”

Eye Desire Force Wealth Position Fame Possession Over You Consumerism Lamps Overconsumption Vigilant Beacons

Author:John of the Cross

“Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.”

Giving Should Soul Reason Desire Prayer Love Is Love You Giving Up And Love Difficulty Satisfaction Your Soul Ease Never Giving Up Persevere

Book:The Prayers of Saint John of the Cross

Source: The Prayers of Saint John of the Cross

“Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.”

Men Way Firsts Soul Might Lasts Desire Suffering Impossible Divine Crosses Saint Riches Entering Consolation Thickets Divine Wisdom

Author:John of the Cross

“To reach satisfaction in all desire its possession in nothing, To come to the knowledge of all desire the knowledge of nothing. To come to possess all desire the possession of nothing. To arrive at being all desire to be nothing.”

Inspirational Desire Satisfaction Possession

Book:John of the Cross: Selected Writings

Source: John of the Cross: Selected Writings

“Now that I no longer desire all, I have it all without desire.”

Desire

Author:John of the Cross

“God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform.”

Desire Degrees Conscience Saint Purity Chastity Purity

Author:John of the Cross

“For true devotion must issue from the heart, and consist in the truth and substances alone of what is represented by spiritual things; all the rest is affection and attachment proceeding from imperfection; and in order that one may pass to any kind of perfection it is necessary for such desires to be killed.”

Heart Kind May Spiritual Desire Order Issues Perfection Affection Devotion Substance Attachment Imperfection Proceeding

Book:Dark Night of the Soul: (Authentic Original Classic)

Source: Dark Night of the Soul: (Authentic Original Classic)

“Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every desire.”

Ifs Firsts Spiritual Desire Delight Possession Deny Relax Attachment

Author:John of the Cross