Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes

I have freed my soul.

You ordered. I obeyed… I opened my mouth; I spoke; and at once the Crusaders have multiplied to infinity. Villages and towns are now deserted. You will scarcely find one man for every seven women. Everywhere you see widows whose husbands are still alive.

They say it is not you who are pope, but me.

You have been called to hold a high position, but not a safe one; a sublime position, but not a secure one. How terrible, how very terrible is the place you hold!

Being monks, we all naturally have a weak stomach, and we therefore justly attend to the Apostle’s advice to use wine.He adds, however, the words ‘a little’; I can’t think why I have omitted them.