110 quotes
Even though Thou dost expose me to divers temptations and adversities, Thou ordainest all this unto my advantage, for Thou are wont to prove Thy beloved ones in a thousand ways.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
Deliver me from evil passions, and cleanse my heart from all inordinate affections, that, being healed and altogether cleansed within, I may be made ready to love, strong to suffer, steadfast to endure.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
He is truly great that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and maketh no account of any height of honor. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
. . . there is no means of escaping from tribulation and sorrow, except to bear them patiently.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
Grant me prudently to avoid the flatterer, and patiently to bear with him that opposeth me
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
In the morning make thy resolves, and in the evening inquire into thy life, how thou hast sped to-day in word, deed, and thought
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
Be not lifted up because of thy strength or beauty of body, for with only a slight sickness it will fail and wither away. Be not vain of thy skilfulness or ability, lest thou displease God, from whom cometh every good gift which we have.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
So long as it is hard to thee to suffer and thou desirest to escape, so long it will not be well with thee, and tribulations will follow thee everywhere.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
What doth care about future events bring thee, save sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. It is vain and useless to be disturbed or lifted up about future things which perhaps will never come.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
What is it then? That having given up all things besides, he give up himself and go forth from himself utterly, and retain nothing of self-love; and having done all things which he knoweth to be his duty to do, that he feel that he hath done nothing.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
Of a surety, at the Day of Judgment it will be demanded of us, not what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how holily we have lived.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
. . . be able to live peaceably with the hard and perverse, or with the disorderly, or those who oppose us, this is a great grace and a thing much to be commended and most worthy of a man.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
A pure, sincere, and stable spirit is not distracted though it be employed in many works; for that it works all to the honor of God, and inwardly being still and quiet, seeks not itself in any thing it doth.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
If thou bear it unwillingly, thou makest a burden for thyself and greatly increaseth thy load, and yet thou must bear it. If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another and perchance a heavier.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
. . . speak Thou, O Lord, who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
. . . all our peace in this sad life lieth in humble suffering rather than in not feeling adversities. He who best knoweth how to suffer shall possess the most peace
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
Strive, My Son, to do another’s will rather than thine own. Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of God be fulfilled in thee.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always laboureth to good purpose.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)
. . . dost thou seek for thyself rest and joy? Thou art wrong, thou art wrong, if thou seekest aught but to suffer tribulations, for this whole mortal life is full of miseries, and set round with crosses.
The Imitation of Christ (1418)