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
love sweet
How sweet it is to love, and to be dissolved, and as it were to bathe myself in thy love.
god thee
God deceiveth thee not.
sports children self
O Lord, self-renunciation is not the work of one day, nor children's sport; yea, rather in this word is included all perfection.
men wings two
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.
heaven earth elements
What canst thou see elsewhere which thou canst not see here? Behold the heaven and the earth and all the elements; for of these are all things created.
christ endeavor conform
Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.
wise mean men
A wise and good man will turn examples of all sorts to his own advantage. The good he will make his patterns, and strive to equal or excel them. The bad he will by all means avoid.
men frail frailty
All men are frail; but thou shouldst reckon none so frail as thyself.
sweet love-is light
Love alone makes heavy burdens light and bears in equal balance things pleasing and displeasing. Love bears a heavy burden and does not feel it, and love makes bitter things tasteful and sweet.
crowns lovers lord
The Lord has many lovers of His crown but few lovers of His Cross.
art men scary
Trust not to friends and kindred, neither do thou put off the care of thy soul's welfare til hereafter; for men will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of.
happiness time reflection
The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs.
fighting victory labor
Without labor there is no rest, nor without fighting can the victory be won.
humility men wish
Study to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose ever to have less rather than more. Seek ever the lower place and to be subject to all; ever wish and pray that the will of God may be perfectly done in thee and in all. Behold such a man enters the bounds of peace and calm.