Thomas a Kempis Quotes

What thou art, that thou art.

It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well.

So fixed are our spirits in slothfulness and cold indifference that we seldom overcome so much as one evil habit.

Remain tranquil and prepare to bear still greater trials. All is not lost even though you be troubled oftener or tempted more grievously. You are a man, not God. You are flesh, not an angel. How can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state of virtue when the angels in heaven and the first man in paradise failed to do so? I am He who rescues the afflicted and brings to My divinity those who know their own weakness.

What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.

Count not thyself to have found true peace, if thou hast felt no grief; nor that then all is well if thou hast no adversary; nor that this is perfect, if all things fall out according to thy desire.

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.

Forasmuch as many people study more to have knowledge than to live well therefore ofttimes they err and bring forth little fruit or none.

Leave off that excessive desire of knowing; therein is found much distraction. There are many things the knowledge of which is of little or no profit to the soul.

For it is the grace of Christ, and not our own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world.

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.

Man sees your actions, but God your motives.

Of two evils, the lesser must always be chosen De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

Bodily exercises are to be done discreetly; not to be taken evenly and alike by all men.

Let not your peace rest in the utterances of men, for whether they put a good or bad construction on your conduct does not make you other than you are.

If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

You will never be an inwardly religious and devout man unless you pass over in silence the shortcomings of your fellow men, and diligently examine your own weaknesses.

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.

If you can win complete mastery over self, you will easily master all else. To triumph over self is the perfect victory.

Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away!

It 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.

Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not.

He does much who loves God much, and he does much who does his deed well.

If you can talk and it's convenient to talk, try to say things that edify.

For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.

By two wings a man is lifted up from things earthly: by simplicity and purity.

If thou may not continually gather thyself together, do it sometime at least once a day, morning or evening.

Love flies, runs, and rejoices; it is free and nothing can hold it back.

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.

Without labor there is no rest, nor without fighting can the victory be won.

One who views thing as they are in reality, and not as they are said or thought to be, is truly wise, taught by God rather than by other persons

Praise adds nothing to your holiness, nor does blame take anything from it. You are what you are, and you cannot be said to be better than you are in God's sight.

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength.... It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down.

The enemy is more easily overcome if he be not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but be resisted without the gate at his first knock.

Do not let your peace depend on the hearts of men; whatever they say about you, good or bad, you are not because of it another man, for as you are, you are.

The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.

Always be ready; always live in such a way that death can never find you unprepared.

He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.

If you seek Jesus in all things you will surely find Jesus. And if you seek yourself, you will surely find yourself, but only to your ruin.

If thou be not busy for thyself now, who shall be busy for thee in time to come?

In the morning fix thy good purpose; and at night examine thyself what thou hast done, how thou hast behaved thyself in word, deed, and thought.

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.

Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.

It is vanity to desire a long life and to take no heed of a good life.

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.

How sweet it is to love, and to be dissolved, and as it were to bathe myself in thy love.

I can take credit for only two things: pride and sin.