Thomas a Kempis
Thomas a Kempis
Thomas à Kempis, C.R.S.A.; c. 1380 – 25 July 1471) was a Dutch canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the most popular and best known Christian books on devotion. His name means Thomas "of Kempen", his hometown, and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken and Thomas Hämerken...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionClergyman
CountryGermany
god winning thee
Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee; All passeth away: God only shall stay. Patience wins all: Who hath God, needeth nothing; For God is his All.
grace strive obedience
Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience, withdraws from grace.
children decision answers
My child, it will be better for you if you accept my decisions without complaint. Do not ask me to defend my actions or to explain why one person is favored and another seems slighted. The answers to these questions go far beyond your comprehension.
winning self perfect
If you can win complete mastery over self, you will easily master all else. To triumph over self is the perfect victory.
sight mind forgetfulness
And when he is out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind.
patience comfort crosses
Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.
bears burden crosses
If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.
men anxiety soul
Restrain an inordinate desire for knowledge, in which is found much anxiety and deception. Learned men always wish to appear so, and desire recognition of their wisdom. But there are many matters, knowledge of which brings little or no advantage to the soul.
pride two credit
I can take credit for only two things: pride and sin.
soul study invisible
Study, therefore, to withdraw the love of your soul from all things that are visible, and turn it to things that are invisible.
giving-up lust asceticism
Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.
anger firsts able
Be at peace with yourself first and then you will be able to bring peace to others.
love christian confused
Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle.
peace inward crowns
Both above and below, without and within, which way so ever thou dost turn thee, everywhere thou shalt find the Cross; and everywhere of necessity thou must hold fast patience, if thou wilt have inward peace, and enjoy an everlasting crown.