(91) For his Way which is before him is for the most Part hidden to me: But after him the Spirit sees, even into the highest and profoundest Depth.

(19) When he parts from me, I know nothing, but the Elementary and Earthly Things of this World: but the Spirit sees even into the Depth of Deity. Question.

(14) Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

(1) HERE I must encounter with the proud and seeming conceited Wise, who does but grope in the Dark, and knows or understands nothing of the Spirit of God, and must comfort both him, and also the desirous longing Reader who loves God, and must show them a little Door to the heavenly Essence; and show them in what Manner they should understand these Writings, before I come to the Chapter itself.

(15) Him who departs, stays and enjoys, who is conjoined with gunas, the deluded perceive not; they see, who possess the eye of knowledge.

(2) For thou hast brought me with thy question into that same darkness, and into that same cloud of unknowing, that I would thou wert in thyself. For of all other creatures and their works, yea, and of the works of God’s self, may a man through grace have fullhead of knowing, and well he can think of them: but of God Himself can no man think. And therefore I would leave all that thing that I can think, and choose to my love that thing that I cannot think. For why; He may well be loved, but not thought. By love may He be gotten and holden; but by thought never. And therefore, although it be good sometime to think of the kindness and the worthiness of God in special, and although it be a light and a part of contemplation: nevertheless yet in this work it shall be cast down and covered with a cloud of forgetting. And thou shalt step above it stalwartly, but Mistily, with a devout and a pleasing stirring of love, and try for to pierce that darkness above thee. And smite upon that thick cloud of unknowing with a sharp dart of longing love; and go not thence for thing that befalleth.

(74) This I write in the Power and perfect Knowledge of the great God, and I understand his Will herein very well. For I live and am in him, and spring up with this Work and Labour out of his Root and Stock, and it must be so: Only take thou Heed, if thou blindest thyself, then there is no Remedy more; neither canst thou say, thou knewest not of it, therefore arise, for the Day breaks! [Or have my Being in him.]

(1) BUT now thou askest me and sayest, “How shall I think on Himself, and what is He?” and to this I cannot answer thee but thus: “I wot not.”

(18) What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

(2) Let not, therefore, but travail therein till thou feel list. For at the first time when thou dost it, thou findest but a darkness; and as it were a cloud of unknowing, thou knowest not what, saving that thou feelest in thy will a naked intent unto God. This darkness and this cloud is, howsoever thou dost, betwixt thee and thy God, and letteth thee that thou mayest neither see Him clearly by light of understanding in thy reason, nor feel Him in sweetness of love in thine affection.

(54) Now if my Spirit did not see through his Spirit, then I were but a blind Stock; but seeing I see the Gates of God in my Spirit, and have the Impulse to do it, I will therefore write directly according as I have seen it, and will not regard any Man's Authority.