John of the Cross

Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ doesn't seek the glory of Christ.

— John of the Cross

A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on…

— John of the Cross

The soul that walks in love neither tires others nor grows tired.

— John of the Cross

See that you are not suddenly saddened by the adversities of this world, for you do not know the good they bring,…

— John of the Cross

My sole occupation is love.

— John of the Cross

Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny…

— John of the Cross

Let my soul live as if separated from my body.

— John of the Cross

Seek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.

— 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…

— John of the Cross

In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much…

— 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.…

— John of the Cross

Who teaches the soul if not God?

— John of the Cross

I have said this to explain the stanza that follows, in which the soul replies to those who call in question its…

— John of the Cross

Silence is God's first language.

— John of the Cross

However softly we speak, God is so close to us that he can hear us; nor do we need wings to go…

— John of the Cross

The divine awakening produces in the soul of the perfect a flame of love which is a participate of that living flame…

— John of the Cross

Seek in reading and thou shalt find in meditation; knock in prayer and it shall be opened in contemplation.

— John of the Cross

God is a dark night to man in this life.

— John of the Cross

They say, "God told me", or "God replied to me". And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.

— 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…

— John of the Cross

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

— John of the Cross

God leads every soul by a separate path.

— John of the Cross

Strive always to confess your sins with a deep knowledge of your own wretchedness and with clarity and purity.

— John of the Cross

Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive…

— John of the Cross

There is nothing better or morenecessary than love.

— John of the Cross