From this contemplation of the City of God there is born the desire to be there, an active desire; it is both expectation and inclination; properly, it is hope.

The duties of asceticism flow from this mythical view; detachment is only the reverse of attachment to Christ; it is, henceforth, the condition and the proof of love. he who wishes to fly to his God bends toward Him: he stretches forth his arms, he prays, and his eyes stream with tears of joy.

jean leclercq, the love of learning, p.62