Thomas a Kempis Quotations

How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.

He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.

First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.

If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?

Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.

The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible.

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.

What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.

It is much safer to obey than to rule.

Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.

Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault.

We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.

At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.

Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.

A man is hindered and distracted in proportion as he draws outward things to himself.

I would far rather feel remorse than know how to define it.

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.

Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.

What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.

But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived and reap little or no benefit from their labor.

Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.

Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.

Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is.

Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back.

Of two evils we must always choose the least.

Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.

Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.

How quickly passes away the glory of this world.

No man ruleth safely but he that is willingly ruled.

Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away!

Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.

For it is the grace of Christ, and not our own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world.

Some people are tempted most strongly at the beginning of their spiritual life, others near the end. Some are troubled all their lives. Still others receive only light temptation. Such things are decided by God, and we can trust his wisdom.

An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.

Don't think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.

In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.

Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. Thus, we should not strive for a peace that is without temptation, or for a life that never feels adversity. Peace is not found by escaping temptations, but by being tried by them. We will have discovered peace when we have been tried and come through the trial of temptation.

If you want to learn something that will really help you, learn to see yourself as God sees you and not as you see yourself in the distorted mirror of your own self-importance,

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven and earth; because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things.

The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.

He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God. Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain, at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty, on to the judgment seat, the same Christ there as ever, still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then. And then, on through all eternity.

Scruples, temptations, and fears, and cutting perplexities of the heart, are often the lot of the most excellent persons.

Judge yourself and beware of passing judgement on others. In judging others we expend our energy to no purpose; we are often mistaken and easily sin. But if we judge ourselves our labour is always to our profit.

He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are; neither by word can you be made greater than what you are in the sight of God.

God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.

Jesus has many who love the kingdom of God, but few who bear a cross. He has many who desire His comfort, but few who desire His suffering. All want to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for Him. He writes; there are many who admire his miracles, but there are few who follow in the humiliation of the cross.

Man considers the actions, but God weighs the intentions.

Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.

All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.

Be thankful for the smallest blessing and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean.

Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.

When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.

If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons.

To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection.

It is vanity to desire a long life and to take no heed of a good life.

Grace is the mastery of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the heart, the comforter of affliction, the banisher of sorrow, the nurse of devotion.

Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of heaven, but he has few bearers of His Cross. Many desire His consolation, but few desire His tribulation. He finds many comrades in eating and drinking, but He finds few hands who will be with Him in His abstinence and fastingBut those who love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for their own profit or convenience, bless Him as heartily in temptation and tribulation and in all other adversities as they do in time of consolation. And if He never sent them consolation, they would still bless and praise Him.

Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more.

God evaluates by this criterion: How much love you invest in what you do is more important than how you do. The one who loves much is actually the one who does much.

Now is the time to be doing, now is the time to be stirring, now is the time to amend myself.

Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.

Love flies, runs, leaps for joy; it is free and unrestrained. Love gives all for all, resting in One who is highest above all things, from whom every good flows and proceeds. Love does not regard the gifts, but turns to the Giver of all good gifts. Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds. Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil, attempts things beyond its strength; love sees nothing as impossible, for it feels able to achieve all things. Love therefore does great things; it is strange and effective; while he who lacks love faints and fails.

Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of others; for thou hast many faults and imperfections of thine own that require forbearance. If thou art not able to make thyself that which thou wishest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity to thy will?

The humble live in continuous peace, while in the hearts of the proud are envy and frequent anger.

A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; Every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!

If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance.

If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.

Love wakes much and sleeps little and, in sleeping, does not sleep. It faints is not weary; it is restricted in its liberty and is great freedom. It sees reasons to fear and does not fear, but, like an ember or a spark of fire, flames always upward, by the fervor of its love, toward God, and through the special help of grace is delivered from all perils and dangers

Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every burden light.

Simplicity reaches out after God; purity discovers and enjoys Him.

We must imitate Christ's life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.

Christ willed to suffer and be despised and do you dare complain of the same? Christ had adversaries and backbiters; and do you wish to have all men your friends and benefactors? When shall your patience attain her crown if no adversity befalls you? If you are willing to suffer naught that is against you, how will you be the friend of Christ?

Man sees your actions, but God your motives.

Let this be thy whole endeavor, this thy prayer, this thy desire,-that thou mayest be stripped of all selfishness, and with entire simplicity follow Jesus only.

If we live in peace ourselves, we in turn may bring peace to others. A peaceable man does more good than a learned one.

Learn to humble yourself, you are but earth and clay.

Love feels no burden, regards not labors, strives toward more than it attains, argues not of impossibility, since it believes that it may and can do all things.

If you wish to live in peace and harmony with others, you must learn to discipline yourself in many ways.

Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

Simplicity is the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God, purity unites with and enjoys him.

It thou seek rest in this life, how wilt thou then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace--not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone.

Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.

Whatever you do, do it with intelligence, and keep the end in view.

Let all your thoughts be with the Most High, and direct your humble prayers unceasingly to Christ. If you cannot contemplate high and heavenly things, take refuge in the Passion of Christ, and love to dwell within His Sacred Wounds. For if you devoutly seek the Wounds of Jesus and the precious marks of His Passion, you will find great strength in all troubles.

I have sought for happiness everywhere, but I have found it nowhere except in a little corner with a little book.

Know all and you will pardon all.

Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience.

The devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own.

A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike.

Pass no rash condemnation on other peoples words or actions.

If your heart were sincere and upright, every creature would be unto you a looking-glass of life and a book of holy doctrine.

He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds.