OF THE INTIMATE LOVE OF JESUS “When Jesus is present, all is well, and nothing seems hard. But when Jesus is not present, everything is hard. When Jesus speaks not within, our comfort is nothing worth; but if Jesus speaks but a single word, great is the comfort we experience. Did not Mary Magdalene rise [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter vii (loving Jesus above all things)
OF LOVING JESUS ABOVE ALL THINGS “Blessed is he who understands what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake. He must give up all that he loves for his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter vi (the joy of a good conscience)
OF THE JOY OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE “The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and you shall ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceedingly much, and is exceedingly joyful in the midst of adversities. An evil conscience is ever fearful and [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter v (self-esteem)
OF SELF-ESTEEM “We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves because grace and understanding are often lacking to us. Little light is there within us, and what we have we quickly lose by negligence. Oftentimes we perceive not how great is our inward blindness; we often do ill and excuse it worse. Sometimes we are [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter iv (a pure mind and simple intention)
OF A PURE MIND AND SIMPLE INTENTION “By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection. Simplicity reaches towards God, purity apprehends Him and tastes Him. No good action will be distasteful to you, if you be free within, [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter iii (of the good peaceable man)
OF THE GOOD PEACEABLE MAN “First keep yourself in peace, and then shall you be able to be a peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man does more good than a well-learned. A passionate man turns even good into evil and easily believes evil. A good peaceable man converts all things into good. He who dwells [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter ii (lowly submission)
OF LOWLY SUBMISSION “Make no great account who is for you or against you, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with you in whatsoever you do. Have a good conscience and God will defend you, for he whom God will help, no man's perverseness shall be able to hurt. [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 2nd book: chapter i (admonitions concerning the inner life)
OF THE INWARD LIFE “The kingdom of God is within you, says the Lord. Turn you with all your heart to the Lord and forsake this miserable world, and you shall find rest unto your soul. Learn to despise outward things and to give yourself to things inward, and you shall see the Kingdom of [...]
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxv (of the zealous amendment of our whole life)
OF THE ZEALOUS AMENDMENT OF OUR WHOLE LIFE “As your eye observes others, so again are the eyes of others upon you. How sweet and pleasant is it to see zealous and godly brethren temperate and of good discipline; and how sad is it and grievous to see them walking disorderly, not practicing the duties [...]
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxv (of the zealous amendment of our whole life)
OF THE ZEALOUS AMENDMENT OF OUR WHOLE LIFE “Be you watchful and diligent in God's service and bethink you often why you have renounced the world. Was it not that you might live to God and become a spiritual man? Be zealous, therefore, for thy spiritual profit, for you shall receive shortly the reward of [...]
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 