The True Wisdom
Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” this God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Wisdom
For the LORD gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
“Lord, you know my ignorance and my weakness; teach me and heal me.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“If you have found wisdom, you have found honey.” + St. Bernard, abbot (1090-1153 A.D.)
“When a man devotes all his thoughts to the praise and service of the Lord, he proclaims God’s greatness.” + St. Bede the Venerable, priest (672-735 A.D.)
“If you do not close your ear to others you open God’s ear to yourself.” + St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop (406-450 A.D.)
“Do not be hasty in your speech; the mouth is a deadly snare.” + St. Barnabas, apostle (unknown – 61 A.D.)
“The man who thinks that he is quiet and peaceful has within him a passion that he does not see.” + St. Dorotheus, abbot (505-565 A.D.)
“Avoid evil practices; indeed, preach against them.” + St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr (35-98 A.D.)
“The quality of holiness is shown not by what we say but by what we do in life.” + St. Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (335-394 A.D.)
“No one who is in love with himself is capable of loving God.” + Diadochus of Photice, bishop (400-486 A.D.)
“If the wise man knows himself to be poor (and the poor are called blessed in the Gospel), he strives to understand the important things in life, and he walks the straight and narrow way which leads to life. He is poor in wickedness, and he knows where Christ, who is our life is to be found.” + St. Jerome, priest (340-420 A.D.)
“There is absolutely nothing for the just man to fear. The whole of creation serves him.” + Origen, priest (185-251 A.D.)
“Avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God.” + St. Charles, bishop (1538-1584 A.D.)
“No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another.” + St. Benedict, abbot (480-547 A.D.)
“There are three ways for wisdom or prudence to abound in you: if you confess your sins, if you give thanks and praise, and if your speech is edifying.” + St. Bernard, abbot (1090-1153 A.D.)
“Love of God is not something that can be taught.” + St. Basil the Great, bishop (329-379 A.D.)
“One who hears but does not act denies Christ.” + St. Ambrose, bishop (340-397 A.D.)
“If you try to outdo one another in showing respect, your life on earth will be just like that of the angels.” + St. Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (335-394 A.D.)
“Search within your heart for what is pleasing to God.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“Every day you are a witness to Christ.” + St. Ambrose, bishop (340-397 A.D.)
“If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out.” + St. Charles, bishop (1538-1584 A.D.)
“The Lord gives light to the blind.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips.” + St. John Bosco, priest (340-420 A.D.)
“If others lose their savor, then your ministry will help them regain it. But if you yourselves suffer that loss, you will drag others down with you.” + St. John Chrysostom, bishop (347-407 A.D.)
“What does the soul desire more than truth?” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“Clearly, lover and Love, soul and Word, bride and Bridegroom, creature and Creator do not flow with the same volume; one might as well equate a thirsty man with the fountain.” + St. Bernard, abbot (1090-1153 A.D.)
“Nothing is more fragrant than the fragrance of the Lord.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“Everyone is drawn by his own desire.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“How shall the devil maintain his throne in one who builds a throne for Christ in his heart?” + St. Ambrose, bishop (340-397 A.D.)
“What is seen gives knowledge, not faith.” + St. Gregory the Great, pope (540-604 A.D.)
“If you shut the door of your mind, you shut out Christ.” + St. Ambrose, bishop (340-397 A.D.)
“If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear?” + St. John Chrysostom, bishop (347-407 A.D.)
“He who reads much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others. So Scripture says: If the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth.” + St. Ambrose, bishop (340-397 A.D.)
“The measure of a man’s love for God depends on how deeply aware he is of God’s love for him.” + Diadochus of Photice, bishop (c. 400-486 A.D.)
“If you are wise, know that you have been created for the glory of God and your own eternal salvation. This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart. If you reach this goal you will find happiness. If you fail to reach it you will find misery.” + St. Robert Bellarmine, cardinal and doctor (1542-1621 A.D.)
“Lord, shed upon our darkened souls the brilliant light of your wisdom so that we may be enlightened and serve you with renewed purity.” + St. Ephrem, deacon (306-373 A.D.)
