Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Thomas a Kempis More Quotes by Thomas a Kempis More Quotes From Thomas a Kempis The good devout man first makes inner preparation for the actions he has later to perform. His outward actions do not draw him into lust and vice; rather it is he who bends them into the shape of reason and right judgement. Who has a stiffer battle to fight than the man who is striving to conquer himself. Thomas a Kempis fightinglustmen A disciple once complained, "You tell us stories, but you never reveal their meaning to us." The master replied, "How would you like it if someone offered you fruit and then chewed it up for you before giving it to you?" If your heart is straight with God, then every creature will be to you a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. Thomas a Kempis mirrorsheartbook When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had. Thomas a Kempis powerfulspiritualgiving He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds. Thomas a Kempis highestflowlove Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be. Thomas a Kempis positiondutyremember If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldst, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking? Thomas a Kempis thyselfifsall-things Who is so wise as to have a perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinion of others. Thought thine own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of another, thou shalt the more profit thereby. Thomas a Kempis wiseperfectlove If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ? Thomas a Kempis adversitypainart Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return. Thomas a Kempis returndoeremember Love makes everything that is heavy light. Thomas a Kempis true-lovelightlove Anyone who is not totally dead to himself will soon find that he is tempted and overcome by piddling and frivolous things. Whoever is weak in spirit, given to the flesh and inclined to sensual things can, but only with great difficulty, drag himself away from his earthly desires. Therefore he is often gloomy and sad when he is trying to pull himself away from them, and easily gives way to anger should someone attempt to oppose him. Thomas a Kempis sensualdesiregiving The humble live in continuous peace, while in the hearts of the proud are envy and frequent anger. Thomas a Kempis humblechristianheart Salvation by the cross. Thomas a Kempis redemptionsalvationcrosses 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. Thomas a Kempis lightspiritualpeople If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons. Thomas a Kempis understandinghumbledesire If we live in peace ourselves, we in turn may bring peace to others. A peaceable man does more good than a learned one. Thomas a Kempis wisdommenpeace Do not let your peace depend on what people say of you... True peace and joy is to be found in [Jesus] alone. Thomas a Kempis christianpeoplejesus Would to God that we might spend a single day really well! Thomas a Kempis wellsmight If you can talk and it's convenient to talk, try to say things that edify. Thomas a Kempis convenientifstrying No one is so good that he is immune from temptation. We will never be entirely free from it. . . . There is no order so holy, no place so secret where there will be no temptation. Thomas a Kempis temptationsecretorder
