Thomas à Kempis
129 quotes
Biography
Thomas à Kempis was a German-Dutch Catholic canon regular of the Augustinians and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the best known Christian devotional books. His name means "Thomas of Kempen", Kempen, Germany, being his home town.
"In omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro.(Everywhere I have sought peace and not found it, except in a corner with a book.)"
"The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does."
"A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike."
"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."
"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."
"If thou knewest the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it profit thee without the love of God and without grace?"
"What will it avail thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinity, if thou be void of humility, and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity?"
"Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul."
"Be not high-minded, but rather confess thine ignorance."
"He who knoweth himself well is vile in his own sight;"
"To account nothing of one’s self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom."
"A pure, sincere, and stable spirit is not distracted though it be employed in many works; for that it works all to the honor of God, and inwardly being still and quiet, seeks not itself in any thing it doth."
"Certe adveniente die judicii, non quæretur a nobis quid legimus, sed quid fecimus; nec quam bene diximus, sed quam religiose viximus."
"O quam cito transit gloria mundi."
"Of a surety, at the Day of Judgment it will be demanded of us, not what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how holily we have lived."
"And because many seek knowledge rather than good living, therefore they go astray, and bear little or no fruit."
"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."
"But they that are perfect, do not give ready heed to every news-bearer, for they know man’s weakness that it is prone to evil and unstable in words."
"If thou desire to profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor even desire the repute of learning."
"The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace."
"Be not lifted up because of thy strength or beauty of body, for with only a slight sickness it will fail and wither away. Be not vain of thy skilfulness or ability, lest thou displease God, from whom cometh every good gift which we have."
"Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath."
"Choose for thy companions God and His Angels only, and flee from the notice of men."
"Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others."
"How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself with other men’s matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the self within?"