Thomas a Kempis

Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.

— Thomas a Kempis

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

— Thomas a Kempis

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

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

— Thomas a Kempis

But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived and reap little or no benefit from their labor.

— Thomas a Kempis

Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.

— Thomas a Kempis

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.

— Thomas a Kempis

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

Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit.

— Thomas a Kempis

What canst thou see elsewhere which thou canst not see here? Behold the heaven and the earth and all the elements; for of these are all things created.

— Thomas a Kempis

It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.

— Thomas a Kempis

No man ruleth safely but that he is willingly ruled.

— Thomas a Kempis

And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind.

— Thomas a Kempis

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.

— Thomas a Kempis

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

If thou desire to profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor even desire the repute of learning.

— Thomas a Kempis

Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.

— Thomas a Kempis

A pure, sincere, and stable spirit is not distracted though it be employed in many works; for that it works all to the honor of God, and inwardly being still and quiet, seeks not itself in any thing it doth.

— Thomas a Kempis

There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.

— Thomas a Kempis

He is truly great that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and maketh no account of any height of honor. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.

— Thomas a Kempis

If thou knewest the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it profit thee without the love of God and without grace?

— Thomas a Kempis

For they truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart within them so vehemently burneth, whilst Thou, O blessed Jesus, dost walk and converse with them.

— Thomas a Kempis

Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.

— Thomas a Kempis

If thou seek rest in this life, how wilt them then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace — not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone.

— Thomas a Kempis

O Lord, self-renunciation is not the work of one day, nor children's sport; yea, rather in this word is included all perfection.

— Thomas a Kempis

Simplicity and purity are the two wings by which a man is lifted above all earthly things. Simplicity is in the intention — purity in the affection. Simplicity tends to God,— purity apprehends and tastes Him.

— Thomas a Kempis

He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater.

— Thomas a Kempis

Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is.

— Thomas a Kempis

A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.

— Thomas a Kempis

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

A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.

— Thomas a Kempis

Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault.

— Thomas a Kempis

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

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

— Thomas a Kempis

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.

— Thomas a Kempis

Man proposes, but God disposes.

— Thomas a Kempis

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible.

— Thomas a Kempis

Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.

— Thomas a Kempis

A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.

— Thomas a Kempis