OF HAVING CONFIDENCE IN GOD WHEN EVIL WORDS ARE CAST AT US “” My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words! They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If you are guilty, think how you would gladly amend yourself; if you know nothing against yourself, consider [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlv (that we must not believe everyone; and that we are prone to fall in our words)
THAT WE MUST NOT BELIEVE EVERYONE; AND THAT WE ARE PRONE TO FALL IN OUR WORDS “Lord, be you my help in trouble, for vain is the help of man, (Psalm 60:11). How often have I failed to find faithfulness, where I thought I possessed it. How many times I have found it where I [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xliv (not troubling ourselves about outward things)
OF NOT TROUBLING OURSELVES ABOUT OUTWARD THINGS “” My Son, in many things, it behooves you to be ignorant, and to esteem yourself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the whole world is crucified. Many things also you must pass by with deaf ear, and must rather think upon those [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xliii (against vain and worldly knowledge)
AGAINST VAIN AND WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE “” My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move you. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power, (1 Corinthians 4:20). Give ear to My words, for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, they bring contrition, and they supply manifold [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlii (that our peace is not to be placed in men)
THAT OUR PEACE IS NOT TO BE PLACED IN MEN “”My Son, if you set your peace on any person because you have high opinion of him, and are familiar with him, you shall be unstable and entangled. But if you betake yourself to the ever-living and abiding Truth, the desertion or death of a [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xli (contempt of all temporal honor)
OF CONTEMPT OF ALL TEMPORAL HONOUR “”My Son, make it no matter of yours, if you see others honoured and exalted, and yourself despised and humbled. Lift up your heart to Me in heaven, and then the contempt of men upon earth will not make you sad." O Lord, we are in blindness, and are [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xl (that man hath no good in himself and nothing whereof to glory)
THAT MAN HATH NO GOOD IN HIMSELF AND NOTHING WHEREOF TO GLORY “Lord, what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that you visit him? (Psalms 8:4). What has man deserved, that You should bestow your favour upon him? Lord, what cause can I have of complaint, if You [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxix (that man must not be immersed in business)
THAT MAN MUST NOT BE IMMERSED IN BUSINESS “My Son, always commit your cause to Me; I will dispose it aright in due time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then you shall find it for your profit.” O Lord, right freely, I commit all things to You, for my planning can profit but [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxviii (a good government in external things and of having recourse to god in dangers)
OF A GOOD GOVERNMENT IN EXTERNAL THINGS, AND OF HAVING RECOURSE TO GOD IN DANGERS “”My Son, for this, you must diligently make your endeavour, that in every place and outward action or occupation, you may be free within, and have power over yourself, and that all things be under you, not you under them, [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxvii (pure and entire resignation of self for obtaining liberty of heart)
OF PURE AND ENTIRE RESIGNATION OF SELF FOR OBTAINING LIBERTY OF HEART “My Son, lose yourself and you shall find Me. Stand still without all choosing and all thought of self, and you shall ever be a gainer. For more grace shall be added to you, as soon as you resign yourself, and so long [...]
