Thomas à Kempis quotes

Thomas à Kempis was a German-Dutch canon regular and spiritual writer, best known for authoring "The Imitation of Christ." His works have deeply influenced Christian spirituality and devotional practice worldwide. He is remembered as one of the most prominent figures in medieval Christian mysticism. Here are 75 of his quotes:

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. (Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Man proposes, but God disposes. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
No man ruleth safely but that he is willingly ruled. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or endeavoring something for the public good. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of its trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse for impossibility, for it thinks all things are lawful for itself and all things are possible. View quote
Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater. (Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Without the Way, there is no going, Without the Truth, there is no knowing, Without the Life, there is no living. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should. View quote
Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ. View quote
Thomas à 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. View quote
Thomas à 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 à 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. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness. View quote
Thomas à Kempis
At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done. View quote
Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis - Image
Occupation: German Clergyman
Born: 1380
Died: July 16, 1471
Quotes count: 75
Wikipedia: Thomas à Kempis

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