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What did Bernard of Clairvaux mean by saying that love of God should be without measure?

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When St. Bernard of Clairvaux stated that the measure of the love of God is to "love without measure," he was articulating the belief that because the source of this love is God himself, it should be boundless and infinite.1

In his spiritual teachings, Bernard emphasized that this love is not a calculated or limited human endeavor but a divine gift that leads to spiritual growth. His perspective on this love is deeply connected to his broader spirituality, which he explored in his treatise "The Love of God." In this work, he outlined four stages of progress:21
* Love of oneself for self’s sake2
* Love of God for self’s sake2
* Love of God for God’s sake2
* Love of oneself for God’s sake2

For Bernard, reaching the final stages of this progression involves a mystical and intuitive absorption in God, where the believer moves beyond self-interest to a state of total devotion. By removing any "measure" or restriction, the soul aligns itself with the infinite nature of the divine.21