Pride causes us to use our gifts as though they came from ourselves, not benefits received from God, and to usurp our benefactor's glory.
Bernard of ClairvauxLet your prayer for temporal blessings be strictly limited to things absolutely necessary.
Bernard of ClairvauxWhat does God hate or punish except self-will? Let self-will cease, and there will be no hell. On what does that fire feed except on self-will?
Bernard of ClairvauxThere are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming into men, and His coming against men.
Bernard of ClairvauxThere are some who wish to learn for no other reason than that they may be looked upon as learned, which is ridiculous vanity ... Others desire to learn that they may morally instruct others, that is love. And, lastly, there are some who wish to learn that they may be themselves edified; and that is prudence.
Bernard of ClairvauxLove is alone sufficient by itself, it pleases by itself and for it's own sake. It is itself a merit, and itself it's own recompense. It seeks neither cause, nor consequences beyond itself. It is its own fruit, its own object and usefulness. I love because I love you, I love that I may love.
Bernard of Clairvaux