John of the Cross

"He who loves is not ashamed before men of what he does for God, neither does he hide it through shame though the whole world should condemn it."

"Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it; reflect that all must come to an end."

"Worldly people are in the habit of censuring those who give themselves up in earnest to God, regarding them as extravagant, in their withdrawal from the world, and in their manner of life. They say al…"

"Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved."

"Deny your desires and you will find what your heart longs for. For how do you know if any desire of yours is according to God?"

"Live as though only God and yourself were in this world, so that your heart may not be detained by anything human."

"The very pure spirit does not bother about the regard of others or human respect, but communes inwardly with God, alone and in solitude as to all forms, and with delightful tranquility, for the knowle…"

"Although you perform many works, if you do not deny your will and submit yourself, losing all solicitude about yourself and your affairs, you will not make progress."