Jval13

“Before the soul is exalted, it is humbled; and before it is humbled, it is exalted.’227”
― Juan de la Cruz, Dark Night of the Soul

“Her clothes, her figure, the expression of her face, the sound of her voice--all these said to him: 'Not the real thing. Everything you lived by and still live by is a lie, a deception that blinds you from the reality of life and death.”
― Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilych

“for them when I die.” He wished to say this but had not the strength to utter it. “Besides, why speak? I must act,” he thought. with a look at his wife he indicated his son and said: “Take him away … sorry for him … sorry for you too … ” He tried to add, “Forgive me,”
― Leo Tolstoy, The Death of Ivan Ilych

“God leads into the dark night those whom He desires to purify from all these imperfections so that He may bring them farther onward.”
― Juan de la Cruz, Dark Night of the Soul