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Quotes from The Imitation of Christ — Thomas à Kempis

d. 1471 Germany

← All quotes by Thomas à Kempis

110 quotes

It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

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

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

What will it avail thee to dispute profoundly of the Trinity, if thou be void of humility, and art thereby displeasing to the Trinity?

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

For our worthiness and growth in grace lieth not in many delights and consolations, but rather in bearing many troubles and adversities.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Be not high-minded, but rather confess thine ignorance.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

All is not frustrated, though thou find thyself very often afflicted or grievously tempted. Thou art man, not God; thou art flesh, not an angel.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

As it is written, To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life. Divine comfort is given that a man may be stronger to bear adversities.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual consolations at thy will? My Saints had never such, but instead thereof manifold griefs, and divers temptations, and heavy desolations.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Simplicity and purity are the two wings by which a man is lifted above all earthly things. Simplicity is in the intention; purity in the affection. Simplicity tends to God; purity apprehends and tastes Him.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

I became the most humble and despised of men, that by My humility thou mightest overcome thy pride.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

But they that are perfect, do not give ready heed to every news-bearer, for they know man’s weakness that it is prone to evil and unstable in words.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly and never seeking her own; for whosoever a man seeketh his own, there he falleth from love.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Thou art none the holier if thou art praised, nor the viler if thou art reproached. Thou art what thou art; and thou canst not be better than God pronounceth thee to be.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so to order thyself, as if thou wert to die this day.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

We are ready to see others made perfect, and yet we do not amend our own shortcomings.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

I gently bore contradictions and hard words; I received ingratitude for benefits, blasphemies for My miracles, rebukes for My doctrine.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou doest.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

But they who love Jesus for Jesus’ sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in the highest consolation.

The Imitation of Christ (1418)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Thomas à Kempis (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.