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 CrossThe window of the soul cleansed perfectly and made completely transparent by the divine light
John of the CrossDesolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.
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 CrossIn the inner stillness where meditation leads, the Spirit secretly anoints the soul and heals our deepest wounds.
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 Cross