To be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse persons, or with the disorderly, or with such as go contrary to us, is a great grace.
Thomas a KempisIt is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of God.
Thomas a KempisOf what use is a long life, if we amend so little? Alas, a long life often adds to our sins rather than to our virtue!
Thomas a KempisLove wakes much and sleeps little and, in sleeping, does not sleep. It faints is not weary; it is restricted in its liberty and is great freedom. It sees reasons to fear and does not fear, but, like an ember or a spark of fire, flames always upward, by the fervor of its love, toward God, and through the special help of grace is delivered from all perils and dangers
Thomas a Kempis