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 [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
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 [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxvi (against vain judgments of men)
AGAINST VAIN JUDGMENTS OF MEN “My Son, anchor your soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's judgments, when conscience pronounces you pious and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is humble, and which trusts in God more than in itself. Many men [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxv (that there is no security against temptation in this life)
THAT THERE IS NO SECURITY AGAINST TEMPTATION IN THIS LIFE “My Son, you are never secure in this life, but your spiritual armor will always be needful for you as long as you live. You dwell among foes, and are attacked on the right hand and on the left. If therefore you use not, on [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxiv (that to him who loves God is sweet above all things and in all things)
THAT TO HIM WHO LOVES GOD IS SWEET ABOVE ALL THINGS AND IN ALL THINGS Behold, God is mine, and all things are mine! What will I more; and what more happy thing can I desire? O delightsome and sweet world, that is, to him that loves the Word, not the world, neither the things [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xxxiii (instability of the heart and of directing the aim towards God)
OF INSTABILITY OF THE HEART AND OF DIRECTING THE AIM TOWARDS GOD “” My Son, trust not your feeling, for that which is now, will be quickly changed into somewhat else. As long as you live, you are subject to change, howsoever unwilling; so that you are found now joyful, now sad; now at peace, [...]
