Appearance Quote by Bernard of Clairvaux
“Inordinate love for the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: On the Passions, 12th century
Excessive bodily desire harms the soul, masquerading as pleasure while causing spiritual death.
In simple terms: Too much fleshly desire kills the soul.
Key Takeaway
Balance physical wants with spiritual health.
Themes
spirituality
self‑control
morality
desire
ethics
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision‑making
- health counseling
Key Concepts
Asceticism
dualism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What healthy limits can we set for bodily desires?
- How does this view align with modern psychology?
A Different Perspective
Human drives are natural; total suppression may be unrealistic.
