If thou desire to profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor even desire the repute of learning.
Education
AUTHOR QUOTES
Quotes by Thomas à Kempis
Explore 16 sourced quotes by Thomas à Kempis. Discover famous, inspirational and timeless words with source information.
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Selected quotes by 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.
Life
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.
Faith
There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.
Wisdom
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.
Education
Truly at the day of judgment we shall not be examined as to what we have read, but as to what we have done; not as to how well we have spoken, but as to how religiously we have lived.
Wisdom
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?
Love
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.
Love
Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.
Wisdom
If thou seek rest in this life, how wilt thou 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.
Life
O Lord, self-renunciation is not the work of one day, nor children's sport; yea, rather in this word is included all perfection.
Success
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.
Wisdom
He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater.
Wisdom
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.
Courage
How quickly passes away the glory of this world.
Life
Man proposes, but God disposes.
Wisdom