119
He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.
- Thomas a Kempis
118
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.
- Thomas a Kempis
117
Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.
- Thomas a Kempis
116
Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.
- Thomas a Kempis
115
We should have much more peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others.
- Thomas a Kempis
114
God walks with the humble; he reveals himself to the lowly; he gives understanding to the little ones; he discloses his meaning to pure minds, but hides his grace from the curious and the proud.
- Thomas a Kempis
113
At the Day of Judgment we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how holy we have lived.
- Thomas a Kempis
112
Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.
- Thomas a Kempis
111
Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of others; for thou hast many faults and imperfections of thine own that require forbearance. If thou art not able to make thyself that which thou wishest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity to thy will?
- Thomas a Kempis
110
How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
- Thomas a Kempis
109
Sweet shall be your rest if your heart does not reproach you.
- Thomas a Kempis
108
In judging of others, a man laboreth in vain, often erreth and easily sinneth; but in judging and examining himself, he always laboreth fruitfully.
- Thomas a Kempis
107
What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?
- Thomas a Kempis
106
So fixed are our spirits in slothfulness and cold indifference that we seldom overcome so much as one evil habit.
- Thomas a Kempis
105
He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.
- Thomas a Kempis
104
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
- Thomas a Kempis
103
For the multitude of worldly friends profiteth not, nor may strong helpers anything avail, nor wise counselors give profitable counsel, nor the cunning of doctors give consolation, nor riches deliver in time of need, nor a secret place to defend, if Thou, Lord, do not assist, help, comfort, counsel, inform, and defend.
- Thomas a Kempis
102
Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small, but let the love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, Who said this? but pay attention to what is said.
- Thomas a Kempis
101
A lover of Jesus and of the truth can lift himself above himself in spirit.
- Thomas a Kempis
100
That learning which thou gettest by thy own observation and experience, is far beyond that which thou gettest by precept; as the knowledge of a traveler exceeds that which is got by reading.
- Thomas a Kempis
99
Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.
- Thomas a Kempis
98
He that well and rightly considereth his own works will find little cause to judge hardly of another.
- Thomas a Kempis
97
Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back.
- Thomas a Kempis
95
He is truly great that is little in himself, and that maketh no account of any height of honors.
- Thomas a Kempis
94
If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ?
- Thomas a Kempis
90
What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.
- Thomas a Kempis
88
Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.
- Thomas a Kempis
87
If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.
- Thomas a Kempis
86
A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.
- Thomas a Kempis
82
He has great tranquility of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men.
- Thomas a Kempis
80
If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.
- Thomas a Kempis
79
Influence never dies; every act, emotion, look and word makes influence tell for good or evil, happiness or woe, through the long future of eternity.
- Thomas a Kempis
78
A wise and good man will turn examples of all sorts to his own advantage. The good he will make his patterns, and strive to equal or excel them. The bad he will by all means avoid.
- Thomas a Kempis
76
Our dependence upon God ought to be so entire and absolute that we should never think it necessary, in any kind of distress, to have recourse to human consolations.
- Thomas a Kempis
75
Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly and never seeking her own; for whosoever a man seeketh his own, there he falleth from love.
- Thomas a Kempis
74
Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise not blame.
- Thomas a Kempis
73
A man is hindered and distracted in proportion as he draws outward things to himself.
- Thomas a Kempis