1001Philosophers

Julian of Norwich Quotes on Life

Julian of Norwich was an English anchoress and the author of the Revelations of Divine Love, the first surviving book in English written by a woman. This page collects quotes attributed to Julian of Norwich on the topic of life, drawn from across the philosopher's works.

Quotes

  • “He said not, 'Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be afflicted'; but He said, 'Thou shalt not be overcome.'”

    Revelations of Divine Love, Chapter 68
  • Attributed to Julian of Norwich:

    “He did not say: 'You shall not be tempest-tossed, you shall not be over-strained, you shall not be disquieted'; but He said: 'You shall not be overcome.'”

  • “For the Third, by the grace of God and teaching of Holy Church I conceived a mighty desire to receive three wounds in my life: that is to say, the wound of very contrition, the wound of kind compassion, and the wound of steadfast longing toward God. And all this last petition I asked without any condition. These two desires aforesaid passed from my mind, but the third dwelled with me continually.”

    Wikiquote
  • “Through this sight of the blessed Passion, with the Godhead that I saw in mine understanding, I knew well that It was strength enough for me, yea, and for all creatures living, against all the fiends of hell and ghostly temptation.”

    Chapter 4