Tag: Thomas A. Kempis

  • EVERY TRIAL MUST BE BORNE FOR THE SAKE OF ETERNAL LIFE

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not let the labors which you have taken up for My sake break you, and do not let troubles, from whatever source, cast you down; but in everything let My promise strengthen and console you. I am able to reward you beyond all means and…

  • TRUST IN GOD AGAINST SLANDER

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, stand firm and trust in Me. For what are words but words? They fly through the air but hurt not a stone. If you are guilty, consider how you would gladly amend. If you are not conscious of any fault, think that you wish to bear…

  • ALL MEN ARE NOT TO BE BELIEVED, FOR IT IS EASY TO ERR IN SPEECH

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE GRANT me help in my needs, O Lord, for the aid of man is useless. How often have I failed to find faithfulness in places where I thought I possessed it! And how many times I have found it where I least expected it! Vain, therefore, is hope in men,…

  • DO NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT OUTWARD THINGS

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, there are many matters of which it is well for you to be ignorant, and to consider yourself as one who is dead upon the earth and to whom the whole world is crucified. There are many things, too, which it is well to pass by…

  • BEWARE VAIN AND WORLDLY KNOWLEDGE

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not let the fine-sounding and subtle words of men deceive you. For the kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue. Attend, rather, to My words which enkindle the heart and enlighten the mind, which excite contrition and abound in manifold consolations. Never…

  • PEACE IS NOT TO BE PLACED IN MEN

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, if you place your peace in any creature because of your own feeling or for the sake of his company, you will be unsettled and entangled. But if you have recourse to the ever-living and abiding Truth, you will not grieve if a friend should die…

  • CONTEMPT FOR ALL EARTHLY HONOR

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, do not take it to heart if you see others honored and advanced, while you yourself are despised and humbled. Lift up your heart to Me in heaven and the contempt of men on earth will not grieve you. THE DISCIPLE Lord, we are blinded and…

  • MAN HAS NO GOOD IN HIMSELF AND CAN GLORY IN NOTHING

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE LORD, what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You visit him? What has man deserved that You should give him Your grace? What cause have I, Lord, to complain if You desert me, or what objection can I have if You do…

  • A MAN SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY SOLICITOUS ABOUT HIS AFFAIRS

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, always commit your cause to Me. I will dispose of it rightly in good time. Await My ordering of it and it will be to your advantage. THE DISCIPLE Lord, I willingly commit all things to You, for my anxiety can profit me little. But I…

  • THE RIGHT ORDERING OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS; RECOURSE TO GOD IN DANGERS

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, you must strive diligently to be inwardly free, to have mastery over yourself everywhere, in every external act and occupation, that all things be subject to you and not you to them, that you be the master and director of your actions, not a slave or…