The 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 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 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 Cross