Alan of Lille Quotes
Alan of Lille was a French Cistercian theologian, preacher, and Latin poet of the twelfth-century renaissance, known to medieval readers as Doctor Universalis for the breadth of his learning. He taught at Paris and Montpellier and ended his life as a Cistercian at Citeaux. The quotes below are attributed to Alan of Lille, organized by topic.
Alan of Lille on God
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Attributed to Alan of Lille:
“Every creature is a book written by the finger of God.”
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Attributed to Alan of Lille:
“Theological language is properly improper, since God exceeds our concepts.”
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Attributed to Alan of Lille:
“Nature is God's handmaid, governing the visible world by his command.”
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Attributed to Alan of Lille:
“The wise person sees in nature the trace of the Creator.”
Alan of Lille on Truth
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Attributed to Alan of Lille:
“Authority has a wax nose; it can be turned in any direction.”