The rose merely blossoms and never asks why: heedless of her beauty, careless of every eye. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
The rose lack reasons and merely sways with the seasons; she has no ego but whoever put on such a show? ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
There is more to being rich than merely having; the wealthiest man can lose everything not worth saving. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Eternity is time, time eternity, except when we are determined to "see." ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Our souls possess two eyes: one examines time, the other visions eternal and sublime. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
God is absolute Nothingness beyond our sense of time and place; the more we try to grasp Him, The more He avoids our embrace. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Water is pure and clean when taken at the well-head: but drink too far from the Source and you may well end up dead. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Unceasingly you seek life's ceaseless wavelike motion; I seek perpetual peace, all storms calmed. Whose is the wiser notion? ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Man has three enemies: himself, the world, and the devil. Of these the first is, by far, the most irresistible evil. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Friend, cease! Abandon all pretense! You must yourself become the Writing and the Sense. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
No worm is buried so deep within the soil that God denies it food as reward for its toil. ―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
New love, like a sparkling wine, soon fizzes. Mature love, calm and serene, abides.
―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
God cannot condemn those with whom he would dwell, or He would have to join them in hell!
―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
A ruby is no more magnificent than a dirt clod, nor an angel more glorious than a frog.
―Angelus Silesius, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Angelus Silesius (1624-1677) was a German Catholic priest, physician, mystic and poet. Born and raised a Lutheran, he adopted the name Angelus (Latin for "angel" or "heavenly messenger") and the epithet Silesius ("Silesian") upon converting to Catholicism. He took holy orders under the Franciscans and was ordained a priest in 1661. In 1671 he retired to a Jesuit house where he remained for the rest of his life. He is now remembered chiefly for his religious poetry, and in particular for Heilige Seelenlust ("The Soul's Holy Desires"), a collection of hymn lyrics, and Cherubinischer Wandersmann ("The Cherubinic Pilgrim"), a collection of epigrams, mostly Alexandrine couplets. His poetry explores themes of mysticism, quietism, and pantheism within an orthodox Catholic context.
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Read Request
My Library
Subscribe
Flag Writing