Imitation of Christ
Favorite excerpts from book one of Thomas a Kempis’s classic, Imitation of Christ.
chapter 1
It is vanity to set your love on that which speedily passes away…
Endeavor therefore to withdraw your heart from the love of visible things, and to turn thyself to the invisible.
For they that follow their lusts, do stain their own consciences, and lose the favor of God.
chapter 2
Whoso knows himself well, is lowly in his own sight and delights not in the praises of men.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life comforts the mind, and a pure conscience gives assurance in the sight of God.
How much the more you know, and how much the better you understand, so much the more severely shall you therefore be judged, unless your life be also more holy.
If you should see another openly sin, or commit some heinous offence, yet ought you not to esteem the better of yourself; for you know not how long you shall be able to remain in good estate.
We are all frail, but you ought to hold none more frail than yourself.
chapter 3
What avails it to make a great dispute about dark and hidden things; whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not be so much as reproved at the day of judgment?
A good and godly man arranges within himself beforehand those things which he is outwardly to act.
Truly, at the day of judgment we shall not be examined what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how virtuously we have lived.
Tell me now, where are all those doctors and masters, with whom you were well acquainted, while they lived and flourished in learning? …In their lifetime they seemed something, but now they are not spoken of.
And because they rather choose to be great than humble, therefore they became vain in their imaginations.
He is truly great, that is great in charity.
And he is truly learned, that doeth the will of God, and forsakes his own will.
chapter 5
Each part of the scripture is to be read with the same spirit in which it was written.
If you desire to reap profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor ever desire the reputation of learning.
chapter 6
The proud and covetous can never rest.
The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself, is quickly tempted and overcome in small and trifling things.
There is then no peace in the heart of the carnal man, nor in him that is addicted to outward things…
chapter 7
Be not ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ; nor to be esteemed poor in this world.
Do what lies in your power, and God will assist your good intention.
Glory not in wealth if you have it, nor in friends who are powerful; but in God who gives all things…
Take not pleasure in your natural gifts, or intelligence, lest you displease God, to whom belongs all the good that you have by nature.
chapter 8
Flatter not the rich…
chapter 10
Flee the tumult of the world as much as you can; for the talk of worldly affairs is a great hindrance, although it be done with sincere intention.
chapter 11
We are too much led by our passions, and too solicitous for transitory things. We also seldom overcome any one vice perfectly, and are not inflamed with a fervent desire to grow better every day; and therefore we remain cold and lukewarm.
But let us lay the axe to the root, that being freed from passions, we may find rest to our souls.
If every year we would root out one vice, we should soon become perfect men. But now oftentimes we perceive on the contrary that we were better and purer at the beginning of our conversion, than after many years of our profession.
If we but a little force ourselves at the beginning, then should we be able to perform all things afterward with ease and delight.
Oh, if you did but consider how much inward peace to yourself, and joy to others, the example of your holy life would bring, I suppose you would be more careful of your spiritual progress.
chapter 12
It is good that we have sometimes troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he is here in banishment…
When a good man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts, then he understands better the great need he has of God, without whom he perceives he can do nothing that is good.
chapter 13
Nevertheless, temptations are often very profitable to us, though they be troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed. All saints passed through many tribulations and temptations, and profited thereby. And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobate , and fell away.
He that only avoids them outwardly, and does not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little…
The beginning of an evil temptation is inconstancy of mind, and little trust in God.
Fire tries iron, and temptation a just man. We know often times what we are able to do, but temptations show us what we are. Yet we must be watchful, especially in the beginning of a temptation; for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he is not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but is resisted outside the gate at his first knock.
And the longer a man is negligent in resisting, so much the weaker does he become daily in himself, and the enemy stronger within him.
chapter 14
Turn your eyes unto yourself, and beware you judge not the deeds of other men. In judging of others a man labours in vain, often errs, and easily sins; but in judging and examining himself, he always labours faithfully.
Many secretly seek self advantage in what they do, and know it not.
…no man is willing to be led further than he can see.
chapter 15
Without love the exterior work profits nothing; but whatsoever is done of love, be it ever so little and contemptible in the sight of the world, it becomes wholly fruitful. For God weighs more with how much love a man works, than how much he does. Nevertheless, he does much that loves much.
Oftentimes it seems to be love, and it is rather carnality; because natural inclination, self-will, hope of reward, and desire of our own interest, will seldom be absent.
chapter 16
The large liberty of others displeases us; and yet we will not have our own desires denied us.
chapter 17
You must learn to break your own will in many things, if you will have peace and concord with others.
…consider yourself as a banished man, and a pilgrim upon earth.
You must be content for Christ’s sake to be considered a fool in this world, if you desire to lead a religious life.
He that seeks anything else but God only, and the salvation of his soul, shall find nothing but tribulation and sorrow.
chapter 18
Consider the lively example of the holy fathers, in whom true perfection and religion shone (ref. Heb 11), and you shall see how little it is, and almost nothing, which we do now in these days.
They spent all their time with profit; every hour seemed short for the service of God.
They renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and kinsfolk; they desired to have nothing which pertained to the world; they scarcely took things necessary for the sustenance of life; they grieved to serve their bodies even in necessity. Therefore they were poor in earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtues.
They were strangers to the world, but close and familiar friends to God.
Oh, the lukewarmness and negligence of our times that we so quickly decline from the ancient fervor, and are come to that pass, that very sloth and lukewarmness of spirit makes our own life wearisome to us.
chapter 19
…there ought to be much more within than is perceive without.
Daily ought we to renew our purposes, and to stir up ourselves to greater fervor, as though this were the first day of our conversion.
chapter 20
No man does safely appear abroad, but he who gladly can abide at home, out of sight. No man speaks securely, but he that holds peace willingly.
No man rules safely, but he that is willingly ruled.
Often those who have been in the greatest esteem and account among men, have fallen into the greatest danger, by overmuch self-confidence.
So all the carnal joy enters gently, but in the end it bites and stings to death.
chapter 21
Happy is he who can cast off all distracting impediments, and bring himself to the one single purpose of holy compunction.
Busy not yourself in matters which concern others; neither entangle yourself with the affairs of your superiors.
It is better often, and safer, that a man should not have many consolations in this life.
When a man has perfect contrition, then is the whole world grievous and bitter to him.
A good man finds sufficient cause for mourning and weeping. For whether he considers his own or his neighbors state, he knows that none lives here without tribulation.
Do you oftener think of your death than of your living long, there is no question but you would be more zealous to improve.
chapter 22
The more spiritual a man desires to be, the more bitter does his present life become to him; because he sees more clearly and perceives more sensibly the defects of human corruption.
Oh my brother, lose not your confidence of making progress in godliness; there is yet time, the hour is not yet passed.
When you are ill at ease and much troubled, then is the time of blessing.
Unless you do earnestly force yourself, you shall never get the victory over sin.
What will become of us in the end, who begin so early to grow lukewarm!
chapter 23
Very quickly there will be an end of you here.
You ought to order yourself in all your thoughts and actions, as if today you were about to die.
It is better to avoid sins than flee death.
Many are they who count how long it is since their conversion; and yet full slender oftentimes is the fruit of amendment in their lives.
Happy is he that always has the hour of his death before his eyes, and daily prepares himself to die.
…they who wander much abroad, seldom thereby become holy.
Keep your heart free, and lifted up to God, because you have here no abiding city.
chapter 24
Then will it appear that he was wise in this world, who had learned for Christ to be a fool and despised.
Then shall he more rejoice that has subdued his own flesh, than he that has abounded in all pleasure and delight.
Then shall all the contempt of riches weigh more than all the worldling’s treasure.
For he that loves God with all his heart, is neither afraid of death nor punishment, nor of judgment, nor of hell; for perfect love gives secure access to God.
chapter 25
A religious person that lives not according to discipline, lies open to great mischief to the ruin of his soul.
He that seeks liberty and ease, shall ever live in distress, for one thing or another will displease him.
Remember always your end, and how that time lost never returns. Without care and diligence you shall never grow in virtue.
If you begin to grow cold, it will begin to be evil with you.
He that avoids not small faults, by little and little falls into greater.