Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes

I bless God for this retirement: I never was more thankful for any thing than I have been of late for the necessity I am under of self-denial in many respects.

My mother never cursed at home; my father never cursed at home. My father didn't drink. Even though we were poor, we would say a blessing over the table. So that's who I am.

Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.

Man falls from the pursuit of the ideal of plan living and high thinking the moment he wants to multiply his daily wants. Man's happiness really lies in contentment.

Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.

Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should buy it.

If you want to be happy, live discreetly. Does that make sense in English?

I am not a person who pursues luxury. I am not like those people who, once they have money, compulsively squander it or show it off.

I'm not conservative, but I am kind of clean living in my own life.

Security depends not so much upon how much you have, as upon how much you can do without.

Who is there that ever receives a gift and tries to make bargains about it? Let us, then, return thanks for what He has bestowed on us. Who can tell whether, if we had had a larger share of ability or stronger health, we should not have possessed them to our destruction.

All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.

You can only realize change if you live simply. Once people want enormous excess, you can hardly do social change.

Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.

Avoid extremes: be moderate In saving and in spending; An equable and easy gait Will win an easy ending.

I don't feel comfortable with luxury, and I try to stay fairly normal.

He who is contented is rich.

Pasture comes before prayer.

I'm not a frugal person, but I find it difficult to be extravagant materially.

How much does one person need to live? I've never needed or wanted that much.

We shall have to practise to lead our life on the basis of our needs, not under the influence of our greed.

I never had everything I wanted, but I never wanted for anything.

I live by 'Everything in moderation.'

Prayer is so necessary, and the source of so many blessings, that he who has discovered the treasure cannot be prevented from having recourse to it, whenever he has an opportunity.

You think like a boxer and behave like a boxer, and you try to live your life that way, being in the gym all the time and being careful to push the plate away at the dinner table. You don't need dessert. When you're out having fun, you ask for agua instead of vodka. It's very important.