Bernard of Clairvaux

In his own words on 1 Samuel

• 1 Samuel 15:22

  You do not wish to be content with the common life. The regular fast is not enough for you, nor the appointed vigils, nor the imposed discipline, nor the measure which we apportion to you in clothing and food; you prefer private practices to the common ones. You who once entrusted the care of yourselves to us—why do you again interfere with yourselves? For that own will of yours, with which, as your consciences bear witness, you have so many times offended God—behold, now again you have it as your teacher, not me. She teaches you not to spare nature, not to yield to reason, not to comply with the counsel or example of your elders, not to obey us. Or do you not know that "obedience is better than sacrifices"? Have you not read in your Rule that whatever is done without the will or consent of the spiritual father will be reckoned to vainglory, not to merit?

  Sermons on the Song of Songs, Sermon 19