SOURCE: Gilson, Etienne. “Regula LXXII.” In The Mystical Theology of Saint Bernard, translated by A. H. C. Downes, pp. 6-13. Kalamazoo, Mich.: Cistercian Publications, 1990.

In the following excerpt from a work originally published in 1940, Gilson explores some of the influences on Bernard's writing, including Aelred of Rievaulx, Gilbert of Holland, Isaac L'Etoile, Cistercian mysticism, and, most importantly, Cicero's writings on love.

Behind [St. Bernard and William of St. Thierry] certain secondary figures are visible in the background. Aelred of Rievaulx, although belonging to a later generation, still directly depends upon St. Bernard. Living wholly within the twelfth century, he is not divided from the latter by any considerable interval; and although various doctrinal influences interposed between them, accentuated, no doubt, by their individual differences, he remains nevertheless a qualified interpreter of the master whose presence in his writings may be constantly felt. Others might be cited, such as...