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
safe obeying-the-law obedience
The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.
law perfect desire
We would willingly have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults. We would have others severely corrected and will not be corrected ourselves. The large liberty of others displeases us, and yet we will not have our own desires denied us. We will have others kept under by strict laws, but in no sort will ourselves be restrained. And thus it appears how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
spiritual light people
Some people are tempted most strongly at the beginning of their spiritual life, others near the end. Some are troubled all their lives. Still others receive only light temptation. Such things are decided by God, and we can trust his wisdom.
giving grace world
For it is the grace of Christ, and not our own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world.
How quickly passes away the glory of this world.
Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.
Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.
easily peace whose
He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.
life truth
Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.
At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.
deep god humble knowledge search surer thyself
An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.
taken exercise men
Bodily exercises are to be done discreetly; not to be taken evenly and alike by all men.
patient be-patient
Thy peace shall be in much patience.
bears be-patient patient
At the least bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully.