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 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 [...]