John of the Cross Quotes
John of the Cross was a Spanish Carmelite friar, mystic, and poet, co-founder of the Discalced Carmelite reform with Teresa of Avila. Imprisoned by his own order during the conflict over the reform, he composed in his cell much of the poetry that, with its accompanying prose commentaries, makes him the supreme mystical poet of the Spanish language. The quotes below are attributed to John of the Cross, organized by topic.
John of the Cross on God
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Attributed to John of the Cross:
“In the dark night of the soul, bright flows the river of God.”
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Attributed to John of the Cross:
“If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark.”
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Attributed to John of the Cross:
“What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God.”
John of the Cross on Love
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Attributed to John of the Cross:
“In the evening of life, we shall be judged on love.”
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Attributed to John of the Cross:
“Love is the inclination of the soul.”
John of the Cross on Virtue
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Attributed to John of the Cross:
“To come to enjoy what you have not, you must go by a way in which you enjoy not.”