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
perfection joy soul
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.
god thinking giving
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.
quickly
And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind.
bound concerning doth duties easily evil expedient good himself man neither nor others ought passionate peacemaker quiet restless shalt suspicious therefore thou thyself towards
FIRST keep thyself in peace, and then shalt thou be able to be a peacemaker towards others. A peaceable man doth more good than a well-learned. A passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily believeth evil; a good, peaceable man converteth all things into good. He who dwelleth in peace is suspicious of none, but he who is discontented and restless is tossed with many suspicions, and is neither quiet himself nor suffereth others to be quiet. He often saith what he ought not to say, and omitteth what it were more expedient for him to do. He considereth to what duties others are bound, and neglecteth those to which he is bound himself. Therefore be zealous first over thyself, and then mayest thou righteously be zealous concerning thy neighbour.
bring peace within
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
given holy name praises work
Let Your name be praised, not mine: let Your work be magnified, not mine. Let Your holy name be blessed, but let nothing of man's praises be given to me.
book
A book has but one vioce, but it does not instruct everyone alike.
journey men long
For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.
honor spirit quiet
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.
speak easier should
It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.
want
Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more.