Thomas a Kempis Quotes:

In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.

Topics: Perfection, Joy, Soul, Strength Of Mind, Infusion

First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.

Topics: Peace, Firsts, Inner Peace And Happiness, International Peace Day, Peace Within

He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.

Topics: Love, Gratitude, Buddhist, Purity And Love

Jesus has many who love the kingdom of God, but few who bear a cross. He has many who desire His comfort, but few who desire His suffering. All want to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for Him. He writes; there are many who admire his miracles, but there are few who follow in the humiliation of the cross.

Topics: Jesus, Writing, Miracle, Kingdom Of God

If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance.

Topics: Godly, Acceptance, Upset

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.

Topics: Men, Wings, Two, Life Is Simple, Simplifying Life

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

Topics: Anxiety, Sorrow, Doe, Overcoming Anxiety

Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.

Topics: Remember, Duty, Position, Obliged, Activate

Man sees your actions, but God your motives.

Topics: Men, Action, Motive

Love wakes much and sleeps little and, in sleeping, does not sleep. It faints is not weary; it is restricted in its liberty and is great freedom. It sees reasons to fear and does not fear, but, like an ember or a spark of fire, flames always upward, by the fervor of its love, toward God, and through the special help of grace is delivered from all perils and dangers

Topics: Sleep, Flames, Fire, Embers

When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.

Topics: Spiritual, Powerful, Giving, Visitation

Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is.

Topics: Strong, Men, Weak

If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?

Topics: Diversity, People, Wish, Mould

Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.

Topics: Forgiveness, Pardon, Pardon Me, Assured

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.

Topics: Patience, Men, Practice, Patience And Tolerance

Let temporal things serve thy use, but the eternal be the object of thy desire.

Topics: Priorities, Desire, Use, Temporal Things

Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

Topics: Men, Roots, Needs

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength.... It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down.

Topics: Love, Lying, Thinking

Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.

Topics: Sight, Sake, Merit

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.

Topics: Art, Fighting, Overcoming

If your heart were sincere and upright, every creature would be unto you a looking-glass of life and a book of holy doctrine.

Topics: Book, Heart, Glasses

Habit is overcome by habit.

Topics: Overcoming, Habit

He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God. Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain, at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty, on to the judgment seat, the same Christ there as ever, still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then. And then, on through all eternity.

Topics: Faith, Morning, Pain, Faithful God

By two wings a man is lifted up from things earthly: by simplicity and purity.

Topics: Men, Wings, Two

A sure way of retaining the grace of heaven is to disregard outward appearances, and diligently to cultivate such things as foster amendment of life and fervour of soul, rather than to cultivate those qualities that seem most popular.

Topics: Heaven, Soul, Grace, Outward Appearance

If you wish to live in peace and harmony with others, you must learn to discipline yourself in many ways.

Topics: Spiritual, Discipline, Wish

When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs.

Topics: Inspirational Life, Mind

He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds.

Topics: Love, Flow

Let all your thoughts be with the Most High, and direct your humble prayers unceasingly to Christ. If you cannot contemplate high and heavenly things, take refuge in the Passion of Christ, and love to dwell within His Sacred Wounds. For if you devoutly seek the Wounds of Jesus and the precious marks of His Passion, you will find great strength in all troubles.

Topics: Jesus, Prayer, Passion, Passion Of The Christ

All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.

Topics: Men, Desire

The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.

Topics: Wise, Peace, Humble, Obedient

A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike.

Topics: Book, Voice, Doe

For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.

Topics: Men, Journey, Long, Long Journey

It is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of God.

Topics: Mind, Gains, God Love, Dejected

Love feels no burden, regards not labors, strives toward more than it attains, argues not of impossibility, since it believes that it may and can do all things.

Topics: Love, Believe, May

Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.

Topics: Return, Doe, Remember, Lost Time

He that seeketh anything else but simply God and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but trouble and sorrow.

Topics: Soul, Sorrow, Trouble

God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.

Topics: Long, Giving, Moments, Brief Moments

We must imitate Christ's life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.

Topics: Jesus, Heart, Darkness

Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every burden light.

Topics: Love, Light, Burden

Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.

Topics: Being Yourself, Men, Offending

Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience.

Topics: Be Patient, Patient, Thyself

Pass no rash condemnation on other peoples words or actions.

Topics: Tolerance, Action, Condemnation

I have sought for happiness everywhere, but I have found it nowhere except in a little corner with a little book.

Topics: Book, Littles, Found

If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.

Topics: Crosses

We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.

Topics: Temptation, Who We Are, Shows

It thou seek rest in this life, how wilt thou then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace--not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone.

Topics: Men, Heaven, Earth, True Peace

Learn to humble yourself, you are but earth and clay.

Topics: Inspirational, Humble, Earth, Humble Yourself

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible.

Topics: Love, Thinking, No Excuses

The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.

Topics: Inspirational, Loss, Firsts, Weakness And Fear, Acknowledgment

Know all and you will pardon all.

Topics: Forgiveness, Pardon

Whatever you do, do it with intelligence, and keep the end in view.

Topics: Views, Intelligence, Ends

Let this be thy whole endeavor, this thy prayer, this thy desire,-that thou mayest be stripped of all selfishness, and with entire simplicity follow Jesus only.

Topics: Jesus, Prayer, Simplicity

Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.

Topics: Sight, Mind, Of Sight Out Of Mind

A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; Every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!

Topics: Inspirational, Done, Sound, Drifting

To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love.

source: - "Seeds of Contemplation". Book by Thomas Merton, 1949.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Motivational, God Image

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.

source: - "The Imitation of Christ. Book I, ch. 16". Book by Thomas a Kempis, 1418.

Topics: Life, Relationship, Teacher, Control Of Your Life

Whatsoever is done in charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth forth good fruit.

Topics: Helping Others, Done, Charity

Do not let your peace depend on the hearts of men; whatever they say about you, good or bad, you are not because of it another man, for as you are, you are.

Topics: Heart, Acceptance, Men, True Peace, Peace And Joy

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven and earth; because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (2013). “The Imitation of Christ; Or, the Ecclesiastical Music”, p.120, Cambridge University Press

Topics: Love Is, Heaven, Earth, Heaven And Earth

If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death.

Topics: Fear Of Death, Conscience

Love alone makes heavy burdens light and bears in equal balance things pleasing and displeasing. Love bears a heavy burden and does not feel it, and love makes bitter things tasteful and sweet.

Topics: Sweet, Love Is, Light, Alone In Love, Heavy Burdens

The Lord has many lovers of His crown but few lovers of His Cross.

Topics: Crowns, Lovers, Lord

Trust not to friends and kindred, neither do thou put off the care of thy soul's welfare til hereafter; for men will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of.

Topics: Art, Men, Scary

The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs.

Topics: Happiness, Time, Reflection, Day Well Spent

Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may never find thee unprepared.

Topics: Death, May, Thee, Unprepared

Wheresoever we seek our own, there we fall from love.

Topics: Fall

Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of heaven, but he has few bearers of His Cross. Many desire His consolation, but few desire His tribulation. He finds many comrades in eating and drinking, but He finds few hands who will be with Him in His abstinence and fastingBut those who love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for their own profit or convenience, bless Him as heartily in temptation and tribulation and in all other adversities as they do in time of consolation. And if He never sent them consolation, they would still bless and praise Him.

Topics: Jesus, Drinking, Adversity, Kingdom Of Heaven, Eating And Drinking

We are often moved with passion and think it to be zeal.

Topics: Passion, Thinking, Zeal

Would to God that we might spend a single day really well!

Topics: Might, Wells

Man considers the actions, but God weighs the intentions.

Topics: Men, Action, Intention

Study to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose ever to have less rather than more. Seek ever the lower place and to be subject to all; ever wish and pray that the will of God may be perfectly done in thee and in all. Behold such a man enters the bounds of peace and calm.

Topics: Humility, Men, Wish

Without labor there is no rest, nor without fighting can the victory be won.

Topics: Fighting, Victory, Labor

A lover of Jesus and of the truth can lift himself above himself in spirit.

Topics: Jesus, Growth, Lovers

Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.

Topics: Christ, Endeavor, Conform

It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.

Topics: Speak, Easier, Should

Happy is the man who renounces everything which may bring a stain or burden upon his conscience

Topics: Men, May, He Man

If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.

Topics: Bears, Burden, Crosses

We would willingly have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults. We would have others severely corrected and will not be corrected ourselves. The large liberty of others displeases us, and yet we will not have our own desires denied us. We will have others kept under by strict laws, but in no sort will ourselves be restrained. And thus it appears how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.

Topics: Law, Perfect, Desire, Strict Laws

Christ was willing to suffer wrongs and to be despised, and do you dare to complain of anything?.

Topics: Suffering, Complaining, Christ

All His glory and beauty come from within, and there He delights to dwell, His visits there are frequent, His conversation sweet, His comforts refreshing; and His peace passing all understanding.

Topics: Sweet, Understanding, Delight, Beauty Comes From Within

My child, it will be better for you if you accept my decisions without complaint. Do not ask me to defend my actions or to explain why one person is favored and another seems slighted. The answers to these questions go far beyond your comprehension.

Topics: Children, Decision, Answers, Slighted

And when he is out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind.

Topics: Sight, Mind, Forgetfulness

O how quickly passes away the glory of the earth.

Topics: Passing Away, Earth, Glory

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.

Topics: Safe, Obedience, Rulers, Obeying The Law

How sweet it is to love, and to be dissolved, and as it were to bathe myself in thy love.

Topics: Love, Sweet

Our dependence upon God ought to be so entire and absolute that we should never think it necessary, in any kind of distress, to have recourse to human consolations.

Topics: Thinking, Kind, Should, Dependence

If you seek Jesus in all things you will surely find Jesus. And if you seek yourself, you will surely find yourself, but only to your ruin.

Topics: Jesus, Finding Yourself, Ruins

If we live in peace ourselves, we in turn may bring peace to others. A peaceable man does more good than a learned one.

Topics: Wisdom, Men, May

What canst thou see elsewhere which thou canst not see here? Behold the heaven and the earth and all the elements; for of these are all things created.

Topics: Heaven, Elements, Earth

Simplicity and purity are the two wings by which a man is lifted above all earthly things. Simplicity is in the intention - purity in the affection. Simplicity tends to God,- purity apprehends and tastes Him.

Topics: Men, Wings, Two, Earthly Things

O Lord, self-renunciation is not the work of one day, nor children's sport; yea, rather in this word is included all perfection.

Topics: Sports, Children, Self

God deceiveth thee not.

Topics: God, Thee

God is able to do more than man can understand.

Topics: God, Men, Able, God Is Able

Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of others; for thou hast many faults and imperfections of thine own that require forbearance. If thou art not able to make thyself that which thou wishest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity to thy will?

Topics: Art, Imperfection, Mold, Forbearance

It is better to have but little knowledge with humility and understanding, than great learning which might make you proud. For a person's merits are not to be estimated by having many visions, or by knowledge of the bible, or by being placed in a higher position; but by being grounded in true humility, and by seeking always, purely, and entirely, the honor of God.

Topics: Humility, Understanding, Honor, True Humility, Little Knowledge

If you want to learn something that will really help you, learn to see yourself as God sees you and not as you see yourself in the distorted mirror of your own self-importance.

Topics: Mirrors, Self, Want, Self-importance

Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. Thus, we should not strive for a peace that is without temptation, or for a life that never feels adversity. Peace is not found by escaping temptations, but by being tried by them. We will have discovered peace when we have been tried and come through the trial of temptation.

Topics: Peace, Grief, Adversity

Don't think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.

Topics: God, Thinking, Giving, God Is With You

Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will be worthy to receive greater.

Topics: Blessing, Being Thankful, Worthy

In the morning fix thy good purpose; and at night examine thyself what thou hast done, how thou hast behaved thyself in word, deed, and thought.

source: - St. Augustine, Dr. Howard Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Apostolic Fathers, J. Oswald Sanders (2010). “Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume”, p.1550, Moody Publishers

Topics: Morning, Night, Purpose

Always be ready; always live in such a way that death can never find you unprepared.

Topics: Way, Ready, Unprepared

Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.

Topics: Perfect, Patient, Submission

We should have much more peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others.

Topics: Peace, Should Have, Busy, Saying And Doing

Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good. Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth. It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders all bitterness sweet and acceptable.

Topics: Sweet, Good Love, Love Is, Alone In Love, Wedding Ceremony

The measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity - adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.

Topics: Adversity, Men, Doe

He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are; neither by word can you be made greater than what you are in the sight of God.

Topics: Heart, Men, Sight, Fault Finding

O Lord, Thou knowest that which is best for us; let this or that be done, as Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, how much Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Deal with me as thou thinkest best. Place me where Thou wilt, and deal with me in all things just as Thou wilt. Behold, I am Thy servant, prepared for all things: I desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and oh, that I could do it worthily and perfectly!

Topics: Giving, Justice, Preparation, Best Place

The devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own.

Topics: Devil, Doe, Unbelievers

All earthly joy begins pleasantly, but at the end it gnaws and kills.

Topics: Greed, Joy, Materialism

Always keep a good distance between yourself and lying, quarreling, detracting, insulting and gossip. The person who can do that will some day learn to enjoy the silence.

Topics: Distance, Lying, Gossip

For man plans, but God arranges.

Topics: Faith, Men, Plans

What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.

Topics: Differences, Doe, Needs

There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (1913). “The Imitation of Christ”

Topics: Kings, Adversity, Men, Tribulation

It is vanity to desire a long life and to take no heed of a good life.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (1913). “The Imitation of Christ”

Topics: Life, Vanity, Long

Love flies, runs, leaps for joy; it is free and unrestrained. Love gives all for all, resting in One who is highest above all things, from whom every good flows and proceeds. Love does not regard the gifts, but turns to the Giver of all good gifts. Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds. Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil, attempts things beyond its strength; love sees nothing as impossible, for it feels able to achieve all things. Love therefore does great things; it is strange and effective; while he who lacks love faints and fails.

Topics: Running, Giving, Joy, Love Strength

Many deceive themselves, imagining they'll find happiness in change.

Topics: Change, Happiness, Finding Happiness

Judge yourself and beware of passing judgement on others. In judging others we expend our energy to no purpose; we are often mistaken and easily sin. But if we judge ourselves our labour is always to our profit.

Topics: Spiritual, Judging, Judgement, Judging Others

Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more.

Topics: Want

Carefully avoid in yourself those things which distrub you in others.

Be at peace with yourself first and then you will be able to bring peace to others.

Topics: Anger, Able, Firsts

Do not interfere when your opinion is not sought.

Topics: Opinion, Interfere

At the day of judgment we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done.

source: - Thomas (à Kempis), Thomas A. Kempis, Aloysius Croft, Harold Bolton (2003). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.4, Courier Corporation

Topics: Liberty, Done, Libertarian

Confidence is the illusion born of accidental success.

Topics: Confidence, Illusion, Born

Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.

Topics: Thinking, Intelligence

Do not try to find a place free from temptations and troubles. Rather, seek a peace that endures even when you are beset by various temptations and tried by much adversity.

Topics: Adversity, Temptation, Trying

Remain tranquil and prepare to bear still greater trials. All is not lost even though you be troubled oftener or tempted more grievously. You are a man, not God. You are flesh, not an angel. How can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state of virtue when the angels in heaven and the first man in paradise failed to do so? I am He who rescues the afflicted and brings to My divinity those who know their own weakness.

source: - Thomas (à Kempis), Thomas A. Kempis, Aloysius Croft, Harold Bolton (2003). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.110, Courier Corporation

Topics: Angel, Men, Heaven, Angel In Heaven

If you can win complete mastery over self, you will easily master all else. To triumph over self is the perfect victory.

Topics: Winning, Self, Discipline

We feel and weigh soon enough what we suffer from others: but how much others suffer from us, of this we take no heed.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (1913). “The Imitation of Christ”

Topics: Soon Enough, Justice, Diversity

Love makes everything that is heavy light.

Topics: Love, True Love, Light

Temptations discover what you are.

Topics: Temptation

Love flies, runs, and rejoices; it is free and nothing can hold it back.

Topics: Running, Rejoice

Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle.

Topics: Love, Christian, Confused

If you can talk and it's convenient to talk, try to say things that edify.

Topics: Trying, Ifs, Convenient

He that seeks here any other thing but simply God and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but trouble and sorrow.

source: - "The Imitation of Christ: Four Books".

Topics: Soul, Sorrow, Trouble

Forasmuch as many people study more to have knowledge than to live well therefore ofttimes they err and bring forth little fruit or none.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (1913). “The Imitation of Christ”

Topics: Knowledge, People, Littles

A disciple once complained, "You tell us stories, but you never reveal their meaning to us." The master replied, "How would you like it if someone offered you fruit and then chewed it up for you before giving it to you?" If your heart is straight with God, then every creature will be to you a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine.

Topics: Book, Heart, Mirrors

You will never be an inwardly religious and devout man unless you pass over in silence the shortcomings of your fellow men, and diligently examine your own weaknesses.

Topics: Religious, Men, Silence, Self-examination

If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons.

Topics: Humble, Understanding, Desire, True Understanding

Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.

source: - Thomas (à Kempis), Thomas A. Kempis, Aloysius Croft, Harold Bolton (2003). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.2, Courier Corporation

Topics: Stars, Humble, Men, Rustic

If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ?

source: - St. Augustine, Dr. Howard Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Apostolic Fathers, J. Oswald Sanders (2010). “Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume”, p.1583, Moody Publishers

Topics: Art, Pain, Adversity

Whoever finds Jesus, finds a rich treasure, and a good above every good. He who loses Jesus loses much indeed, and more than the whole world. Poorest of all is he who lives without Jesus, and richest of all is he who stands in favor with Jesus.

Topics: Faith, Jesus, World

Christ willed to suffer and be despised and do you dare complain of the same? Christ had adversaries and backbiters; and do you wish to have all men your friends and benefactors? When shall your patience attain her crown if no adversity befalls you? If you are willing to suffer naught that is against you, how will you be the friend of Christ?

Topics: Motivation, Inspiration, Adversity

If thou may not continually gather thyself together, do it sometime at least once a day, morning or evening.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (1913). “The Imitation of Christ”

Topics: Morning, Advice, Together

Let not therefore thy heart be troubled, neither let it fear. Trust in me, and put thy confidence in my mercy. When thou thinkest thyself farthest off from me, oftentimes I am nearest unto thee. When thou countest almost all to be lost, then oftentimes the greatest gain of reward is close at hand. All is not lost, when any thing falleth out contrary. Thou oughtest not to judge according to present feeling; nor so to take any grief, or give thyself over to it.

Topics: Grief, Heart, Hands

There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.

source: - St. Augustine, Dr. Howard Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Apostolic Fathers, J. Oswald Sanders (2010). “Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume”, p.1589, Moody Publishers

Topics: God, Goodness, Goodness Of God

Love is active and sincere, courageous, patient, faithful, prudent and manly.

Topics: Love Is, Faithful, Prudent, Love Is Hard

Two wings lift a person up from earthly concerns: Simplicity in intention, and Purity in feeling.

Topics: Wings, Two, Simplicity, Purity Of Intention

I can take credit for only two things: pride and sin.

Topics: Pride, Two, Credit

Praise adds nothing to your holiness, nor does blame take anything from it. You are what you are, and you cannot be said to be better than you are in God's sight.

Topics: Sight, Doe, Add

Trust not to your feelings for whatever they might be now, they will quickly be changed towards some other thing.

Topics: Advice, Feelings, Might

It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well.

Topics: Life, Long, Giving

Some people are tempted most strongly at the beginning of their spiritual life, others near the end. Some are troubled all their lives. Still others receive only light temptation. Such things are decided by God, and we can trust his wisdom.

Topics: Spiritual, Light, People

It is much safer to obey than to rule.

Topics: Scary

God evaluates by this criterion: How much love you invest in what you do is more important than how you do. The one who loves much is actually the one who does much.

Topics: Encouragement, Love You, Important, Much Love

Anyone who is not totally dead to himself will soon find that he is tempted and overcome by piddling and frivolous things. Whoever is weak in spirit, given to the flesh and inclined to sensual things can, but only with great difficulty, drag himself away from his earthly desires. Therefore he is often gloomy and sad when he is trying to pull himself away from them, and easily gives way to anger should someone attempt to oppose him.

Topics: Giving, Sensual, Desire, Earthly Desires

All men are frail; but thou shouldst reckon none so frail as thyself.

Topics: Men, Frail, Frailty

The more spiritual a man desires to be, the more bitter does his present life become to him; because he sees more clearly and perceives more sensibly the defects of human corruption.

source: - "Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume".

Topics: Spiritual, Inspirational Life, Men, Present Life

He does much who loves much.

source: - Thomas (à Kempis), Thomas A. Kempis, Aloysius Croft, Harold Bolton (2003). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.12, Courier Corporation

Topics: Doe

Of what use is a long life, if we amend so little? Alas, a long life often adds to our sins rather than to our virtue!

Topics: Long, Age, Add

Simplicity is the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God, purity unites with and enjoys him.

Topics: God, Simplicity, Affection, Purity Of Intention, Turn To God

Ah, Lord God, thou holy lover of my soul, when thou comest into my heart, all that is within me shall rejoice.

Topics: Heart, Soul, Lovers, Lord God

How should thy patience be crowned in heaven if none adversity should befall to thee in earth? If thou wilt suffer none adversity how mayest thou be the friend of Christ?

Topics: Adversity, Heaven, Suffering

Who is so wise as to have a perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinion of others. Thought thine own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of another, thou shalt the more profit thereby.

Topics: Love, Wise, Perfect

Grace is the mastery of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the heart, the comforter of affliction, the banisher of sorrow, the nurse of devotion.

Topics: Teacher, Heart, Light, Comforter

No one is so good that he is immune from temptation. We will never be entirely free from it. . . . There is no order so holy, no place so secret where there will be no temptation.

Topics: Order, Temptation, Secret

Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back.

Topics: Waiting, Be Patient, Unfaithful, Faithless, Good Courage

Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee; All passeth away: God only shall stay. Patience wins all: Who hath God, needeth nothing; For God is his All.

Topics: God, Winning, Thee

Love is a great thing, yea, a great and thorough good. By itself it makes what is heavy light; and bears evenly all that is uneven.

Topics: Love Is, Light, Bears, Love Is Hard

Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small, but let the love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, Who said this? but pay attention to what is said.

Topics: Attention, Pay, Said

He is truly great that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and maketh no account of any height of honor. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.

source: - St. Augustine, Dr. Howard Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Apostolic Fathers, J. Oswald Sanders (2010). “Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume”, p.1516, Moody Publishers

Topics: Honor, Littles, Height

Study, therefore, to withdraw the love of your soul from all things that are visible, and turn it to things that are invisible.

Topics: Soul, Study, Invisible

Restrain an inordinate desire for knowledge, in which is found much anxiety and deception. Learned men always wish to appear so, and desire recognition of their wisdom. But there are many matters, knowledge of which brings little or no advantage to the soul.

Topics: Men, Anxiety, Soul, Desire For Knowledge

You are a man, not God; you are human, not an angel. How can you expect to remain always in a constant state of virtue, when this was not possible even for an angel of Heaven, nor for the first man in the Garden?

Topics: God, Angel, Men

If you would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven. For he who give the us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in his grace.

Topics: Fighting, Men, Giving, Assistance, Wild At Heart

If you bear the cross gladly, it will bear you.

source: - 'De Imitatione Christi' bk. 2, ch. 12, sect. 5

Topics: Bears, Crosses, Ifs

Scruples, temptations, and fears, and cutting perplexities of the heart, are often the lot of the most excellent persons.

Topics: Fear, Heart, Cutting

If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.

Topics: Acceptance, Cast Away, Crosses

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.

source: - Thomas (a Kempis) (1850). “The Imitation of Christ: Four Books”, p.67

Topics: Life, Confidence, Peace, Peace Tranquility, Tranquil

Peace and happiness are what you covet, but these are only to be obtained by labor.

Topics: Peace, Peace And Happiness, Labor

Sweet shall be your rest if your heart does not reproach you.

source: - Thomas (à Kempis), Thomas A. Kempis, Aloysius Croft, Harold Bolton (2003). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.33, Courier Corporation

Topics: Faith, Sweet, Heart

The enemy is more easily overcome if he be not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but be resisted without the gate at his first knock.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (2013). “The Imitation of Christ; Or, the Ecclesiastical Music”, p.25, Cambridge University Press

Topics: Heart, Doors, Enemy

Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort 'soever they be; for that thyself also has many failings which must be borned with by others.

source: - St. Augustine, Dr. Howard Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Apostolic Fathers, J. Oswald Sanders (2010). “Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume”, p.1542, Moody Publishers

Topics: Be Patient, Failing, Endeavor

O Lord, you know what is best for me. Let this or that be done, as you please. Give what you will, how much you will, and when you will.

Topics: Giving, Done, Lord

Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is.

source: - St. Augustine, Dr. Howard Taylor, Mrs. Howard Taylor, Apostolic Fathers, J. Oswald Sanders (2010). “Moody Classics Complete Set: Includes 19 Classics of the Faith in a Single Volume”, p.1543, Moody Publishers

Topics: Adversity, Men, Virtue

Simplicity reaches out after God; purity discovers and enjoys Him.

Topics: Simplicity, Purity, Enjoy

Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.

Topics: Giving Up, Lust, Asceticism

Blessed are the simple, for they shall have much peace.

Topics: Blessed, Simple, Simple Living

The better you understand yourself the less cause you will find to love yourself.

Topics: Love You, Love Yourself, Self

A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior.

Topics: Men, People, Soul, Demeanor

For it is the grace of Christ, and not our own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world.

Topics: Giving, Grace, Overcoming

Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.

source: - Thomas a Kempis, Aeterna Press (1947). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.87, Aeterna Press

Topics: Jesus, Life And Death, Helping

I would far rather feel remorse than know how to define it.

source: - 'De Imitatione Christi' bk. 1, ch. 1, sect. 3

Topics: Sin, Feels, Know How

If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldst, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking?

Topics: All Things, Ifs, Thyself

A man of peace does more good than a very learned man.

Topics: Peace, Learning, Men

My God, Sweetness beyond words, make bitter all the carnal comfort that draws me from love of the eternal and lures me to its evil self by the sight of some delightful good in the present. Let it not overcome me, my God. Let not flesh and blood conquer me. Let not the world and its brief glory deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness. Give me courage to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere. Give me the soothing unction of Your spirit rather than all the consolations of the world, and in place of carnal love, infuse into me the love of Your name.

source: - Thomas (à Kempis), Thomas A. Kempis, Aloysius Croft, Harold Bolton (2003). “The Imitation of Christ”, p.74, Courier Corporation

Topics: Love, Sight, Self, Lure, Craftiness

Such as every man is inwardly so he judgeth outwardly.

source: - Thomas a Kempis (1913). “The Imitation of Christ”

Topics: Men, Judgment, Every Man

The good devout man first makes inner preparation for the actions he has later to perform. His outward actions do not draw him into lust and vice; rather it is he who bends them into the shape of reason and right judgement. Who has a stiffer battle to fight than the man who is striving to conquer himself.

Topics: Fighting, Men, Lust

Don't flatter the rich, or appear to willing before the great.

Topics: Flattery, Rich, Willing

Blessed is the pilgrim, who in every place, and at all times of this his banishment in the body, calling upon the holy name of Jesus, calleth to mind his native heavenly land, where his blessed Master, the King of saints and angels, waiteth to receive him. Blessed is the pilgrim who seeketh not an abiding place unto himself in this world; but longeth to be dissolved, and be with Christ in heaven.

source: - "Vera Sapientia or True Wisdom". Book by Thomas a Kempis,

Topics: Jesus, Kings, Blessed, Pilgrim, Banishment