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 [...]
Category: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, tr. by William Benham, 1886
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 imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiv (the judgment and punishment of the wicked)
OF THE JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED “Be you anxious now and sorrowful for your sins, that in the day of judgment you may have boldness with the blessed. For then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his [...]
The imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiv (the judgment and punishment of the wicked)
OF THE JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED “In all that you do, remember the end, and how you will stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with gifts, nor accepts excuses, but will judge righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who are sometimes in fear [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiii (meditation upon death)
OF MEDITATION UPON DEATH “O dearly beloved, from what danger you might free yourself, from what great fear, if only you would always live in fear, and in expectation of death. Strive now to live in such wise, that in the hour of death you may rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxiii (meditation upon death)
OF MEDITATION UPON DEATH “Very quickly, will there be an end of you here. Take heed, therefore, how it will be with you in another world. Today man is, and tomorrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of sight quickly, also he is out of mind. O the dullness and hardness [...]
the imitation of Christ, the 1st book: chapter xxii (the contemplation of human misery)
ON THE CONTEMPLATION OF HUMAN MISERY “You are miserable wheresoever you are, and whithersoever you turn, unless you turn yourself to God. Why are you disquieted because it happens not to you according to your wishes and desires? Who is he that have everything according to his will? Neither I, nor you, nor any man [...]
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 