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.
John of the CrossAll the powers of soul and body,memory, understanding, and will, interior and exterior senses, thedesires of spirit and of sense, all workin and by love.
John of the CrossLive in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.
John of the CrossTake God for your spouse and friend and walk with him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.
John of the CrossIn sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed.
John of the CrossLove consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved. The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of Divine union. For whether it be a strong wire rope or a slender and delicate thread that holds the bird, it matters not, if it really holds it fast; for until the cord be broken, the bird cannot fly.
John of the CrossIf you lose an opportunity you will be like one who lets the bird fly away; you will never get it back.
John of the CrossThe soul that journey's to God, but doesn't shake off it's cares and quiet it's appetities, is like someone who drags a cart of dirt uphill.
John of the CrossWhenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.
John of the CrossContemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which, if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.
John of the CrossObedience is a penance of reason, and, on that account, a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances and mortifications.
John of the CrossThe conditions of a solitary bird are five: The first, that it flies to the highest point; The Second, that it does not suffer for company, not even of its own kind; The Third, that it aims its beak to the skies; The Fourth, that it does not have a definite color; The Fifth, that it sings very softly.
John of the CrossThe centre of the soul is God; and, when the soul has attained to Him according to the whole capacity of its being, which is the strength and virtue of the soul, it will have reached the last and the deep centre of the soul, which will be when with all its powers it loves and understands and enjoys God.
John of the CrossSee that you are not suddenly saddened by the adversities of this world, for you do not know the good they bring, being ordained in the judgments of God for the everlasting joy of the elect.
John of the CrossTo love is to be transformed into what we love. To love God is therefore to be transformed into God.
John of the CrossGod passes through the thicket of the world, and wherever His glance falls He turns all things to beauty.
John of the CrossThough the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.
John of the CrossLive in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.
John of the CrossBeloved, all that is harsh and difficult I want for myself, and all that is gentle and sweet for thee.
John of the CrossYearning: It needs to hurt in order to be worthy of the word. Otherwise it is just wanting.
John of the CrossSeek in reading and you will find in meditation; knock in prayer and it will be opened to you in contemplation.
John of the CrossNever listen to accounts of the frailty of others; and if anyone should complain to you of another, humbly ask him not to speak about him at all.
John of the CrossIt is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others.
John of the CrossFor 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.
John of the CrossThe eternal spring is hidden in this living bread for our life's sake, although it is night. It is here calling out to creatures; and they satisfy their thirst, although in darkness, because it is night. This living spring that I long for, I see in this bread of life, although it is night.
John of the CrossThe eternal tide flows hid in Living Bread. That with its Heavenly Life too be fed.
John of the CrossThey say, "God told me", or "God replied to me". And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.
John of the CrossLive as though only God and yourself were in this world, so that your heart may not be detained by anything human.
John of the CrossA Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.
John of the CrossThe road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.
John of the CrossDesolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.
John of the CrossHe who loses an opportunity is like the man who lets a bird fly from his hand, for he will never recover it.
John of the Cross