--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The virtuous soul that is alone and…" description: "\"The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is like a long lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.\" — John of the Cross" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/john-of-the-cross-9695_burning_the-virtuous-soul-that-is-alone-and-with_1615498.jpg" --- # The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is… ![“The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is like a long lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.” quote by John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/john-of-the-cross-9695_burning_the-virtuous-soul-that-is-alone-and-with_1615498.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/john-of-the-cross-9695_burning_the-virtuous-soul-that-is-alone-and-with_1615498.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/john-of-the-cross-9695_burning_the-virtuous-soul-that-is-alone-and-with_1615498.jpg) > “The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is like a long lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.” [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A soul without guidance loses its inner fire, becoming colder over time. **In simple terms:** Without guidance, inner fire fades. Key Takeaway Seek mentorship to stay vibrant. Themes spirituality guidance inner fire Mood reflective solemn Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual practice - leadership development Key Concepts mysticism self‑discipline Questions to Reflect On - How do you find guidance when alone? - What practices keep your inner fire alive? A Different Perspective Even with a master, external pressures can still cool the soul. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burning coal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burning-coal/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) ## Related quotes > [You are young, and I am older; You are hopeful, I am not- Enjoy life, ere it grow colder- Pluck the roses ere they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/you-are-young-and-i-am-older-you-are-hopeful-i-am-not-enjoy-life-ere/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As the people grow colder, I turn to my computer and spend my evenings with it like a friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bush/as-the-people-grow-colder-i-turn-to-my-computer-and-spend-my-evenings/) [Kate Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bush/) > [Only a sweet and virtuous soul, like seasoned timber, never gives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/only-a-sweet-and-virtuous-soul-like-seasoned-timber-never-gives/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [I feel virtuous because my soul is at ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/i-feel-virtuous-because-my-soul-is-at-ease/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [The man of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/the-man-of-virtuous-soul-commands-not-nor-obeys/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [For, in the language of Heraclitus, the virtuous soul is pure and unmixed light, springing from the body as a flash of lightning darts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/for-in-the-language-of-heraclitus-the-virtuous-soul-is-pure-and/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I shall say, that I feel myself virtuous, because my soul is at rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/i-shall-say-that-i-feel-myself-virtuous-because-my-soul-is-at-rest/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [Only a sweet and virtuous soul, Like season'd timbered, never gives; But though the whole world turn to coal, Then chiefly lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/only-a-sweet-and-virtuous-soul-like-season-d-timbered-never-gives-but/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Beauty has so many charms, one knows not how to speak against it; and when it happens that a graceful figure is the habitation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/beauty-has-so-many-charms-one-knows-not-how-to-speak-against-it-and/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [Everyone knows that we're doing a science experiment with Earth. 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To come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/to-reach-satisfaction-in-all-desire-its-possession-in-nothing-to-come/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) > [Who teaches the soul if not God?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/who-teaches-the-soul-if-not-god/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 holy tranquillity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/i-have-said-this-to-explain-the-stanza-that-follows-in-which-the-soul/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) > [Silence is God's first language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/silence-is-god-s-first-language/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 in search…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-the-cross/however-softly-we-speak-god-is-so-close-to-us-that-he-can-hear-us-nor/) [John of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) [Explore all 71 John of the Cross quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-the-cross/) ## More Burning quotes > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. 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