John of the Cross

"The soul transformed by love becomes an instrument of God's infinite compassion."

"In spiritual warfare, surrender is the ultimate victory."

"The contemplative path winds through the wilderness of the heart toward the oasis of God."

"The Lord does not look as much at the greatness of the work as at the love with which it is done."

"Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love."

"The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of divine union."

"A single thought of man is greater than the whole world."

"God passes through the thicket of the world, and wherever his glance falls, he leaves a track of light."

"The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are."

"Spirituality is not found in great deeds or lofty thoughts, but in surrender and humility."

"The virtues must be practiced in the midst of temptation, for it is not the absence of temptation that makes one virtuous."

"It matters not whether the wine be red or white; if it intoxicates, it is still wine."

"The darker the night, the brighter the stars appear."

"To reach satisfaction in all, desire satisfaction in nothing."

"Love is the only force that can make the soul ascend toward perfection."

"The soul that loves God walks constantly in sweetness and is wrapped in sweetness."

"Suffering itself is never an end, but when borne with love, it becomes redemptive."

"The contemplative life requires the sacrifice of the active life."

"In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone."

"The wood that is green and moist will burn slowly and produce heat gradually."

"To arrive at being all, desire to be nothing."

"The flame of love is never exhausted; it burns eternally in the heart of the soul."

"Knowledge without love is like a lamp without oil."

"The night of the soul is the path to divine illumination."

"All worldly things are as nothing compared to the love of God."

"The soul must be emptied of all attachments to be filled with divine grace."

"Patience is the foundation upon which all virtue is built."

"The heart that is at peace fears nothing and desires nothing."

"To understand the infinite, one must first understand the finite."

"The soul that seeks God with sincerity will always find Him."