Bernard Of Clairvaux Apr 2026

In his classic work On Loving God , Bernard argues that love is a journey that starts with the self and ends with a complete losing of oneself in God. He outlines these four stages:

The Mellifluous Doctor: Lessons in Love from Bernard of Clairvaux Bernard of Clairvaux

We begin to love God because of the benefits He provides us. In his classic work On Loving God ,

The highest state, where we love ourselves only because God loves us—a state of total, egoless peace. 2. The Battle Against Pride Bernard of Clairvaux

We transition to loving God simply for who He is, regardless of the "perks".

We start by loving ourselves for our own needs.