OF OBEDIENCE AND SUBJECTION
“It is verily a great thing to live in obedience, to be under authority, and not to be at our own disposal. Far safer is it to live in subjection than in a place of authority. Many are in obedience from necessity rather than from love; these take it amiss and repine for small cause. Nor will they gain freedom of spirit, unless with all their heart they submit themselves for the love of God. Though you run here and there, you will not find peace, save in humble subjection to the authority of him who is set over thee. Fancies about places and change of them have deceived many.
True, it is that every man willingly follows his own bent and is the more inclined to those who agree with him. But if Christ is among us, then it is necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for the sake of peace. Who is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore, trust not too much to your own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others. Though your own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God, you forego it, and follow that of another, you shall the more profit thereby.
Ofttimes, I have heard that it is safer to hearken and to receive counsel than to give it. It may also come to pass that each opinion may be good; but to refuse to hearken to others when reason or occasion requires it is a mark of pride or willfulness.
OF THE DANGER OF SUPERFLUITY OF WORDS
Avoid as far as you can, the tumult of men; for talk concerning worldly things, though it be innocently undertaken is a hindrance; so quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity. Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not gone among men. But why do we talk and gossip so continually, seeing that we so rarely resume our silence without some hurt done to our conscience? We like talking so much because we hope by our conversations to gain some mutual comfort, and because we seek to refresh our wearied spirits by a variety of thoughts. And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we love or desire, or else of those which we most dislike.
But alas, it is often to no purpose and in vain! For this outward consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort which comes from God. Therefore, must we watch and pray that time pass not idly away. If it be right and desirable for you to speak, speak things which are to edification. Evil custom and neglect of our real profit tend much to make us heedless of watching over our lips. Nevertheless, devout conversation on spiritual things helps not a little to spiritual progress, most of all where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground of fellowship in God.”
Thomas a Kempis
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 