Canon Thomas a Kempis was a 15th-century Christian monk and priest. He is best known for his devotional work The Imitation of Christ, which is widely considered to be one of the most influential Christian books ever written. His works are still widely read and respected today, and his teachings have been influential in the development of Christian spirituality.
What is the most famous quote by Thomas a Kempis ?
A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing; Every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!
— Thomas a Kempis
What can you learn from Thomas a Kempis (Life Lessons)
- Thomas a Kempis encourages us to focus on humility, simplicity and prayer rather than worldly possessions and fame. He teaches us to be content with what we have and to be thankful for the blessings we have received.
- He reminds us to be mindful of our thoughts and actions and to strive to be the best version of ourselves. He also encourages us to use our time wisely and to focus on spiritual growth.
- Thomas a Kempis teaches us to be humble, to be grateful, and to strive for spiritual growth. He encourages us to focus on the present and to cherish the moments we have with the people we love.
The most helpful Thomas a Kempis quotes that will activate your desire to change
Following is a list of the best Thomas a Kempis quotes, including various Thomas a Kempis inspirational quotes, and other famous sayings by Thomas a Kempis.
If you want to learn something that will really help you, learn to see yourself as God sees you and not as you see yourself in the distorted mirror of your own self-importance.
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.
Jesus has many who love the kingdom of God, but few who bear a cross.
He has many who desire His comfort, but few who desire His suffering. All want to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for Him. He writes; there are many who admire his miracles, but there are few who follow in the humiliation of the cross.
To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love.
Love feels no burden, regards not labors, strives toward more than it attains, argues not of impossibility, since it believes that it may and can do all things.
If you would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven. For he who give the us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in his grace.
Don't think so much about who is for or against you, rather give all your care, that God be with you in everything you do.
Judge yourself and beware of passing judgement on others.
In judging others we expend our energy to no purpose; we are often mistaken and easily sin. But if we judge ourselves our labour is always to our profit.
Devotional quotes by Thomas a Kempis
Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.
Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven and earth; because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things.
Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.
He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain, at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty, on to the judgment seat, the same Christ there as ever, still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then. And then, on through all eternity.
God is able to do more than man can understand.
Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.
We must imitate Christ's life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do, then, to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.
The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.
Quotations by Thomas a Kempis that are spiritual and reflection
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
Let this be thy whole endeavor, this thy prayer, this thy desire,-that thou mayest be stripped of all selfishness, and with entire simplicity follow Jesus only.
Remember that lost time does not return.
Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back.
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.
God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.
For nothing, how little soever, that is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.
The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs.
Be at peace with yourself first and then you will be able to bring peace to others.
Learn to humble yourself, you are but earth and clay.
Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.
We should have much more peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others.
Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.
Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.
Do not let your peace depend on the hearts of men; whatever they say about you, good or bad, you are not because of it another man, for as you are, you are.
Grace is the mastery of truth, the teacher of discipline, the light of the heart, the comforter of affliction, the banisher of sorrow, the nurse of devotion.
There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope.
Christ was willing to suffer wrongs and to be despised, and do you dare to complain of anything?.
Of two evils we must always choose the least.
For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.
Do not let your peace depend on what people say of you... True peace and joy is to be found in [Jesus] alone.
Know all and you will pardon all.
All His glory and beauty come from within, and there He delights to dwell, His visits there are frequent, His conversation sweet, His comforts refreshing; and His peace passing all understanding.
He is truly great who hath a great charity.
When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.
Whoever finds Jesus, finds a rich treasure, and a good above every good. He who loses Jesus loses much indeed, and more than the whole world. Poorest of all is he who lives without Jesus, and richest of all is he who stands in favor with Jesus.
A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior.
Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me.
If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?
If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons.
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.
Some people are tempted most strongly at the beginning of their spiritual life, others near the end. Some are troubled all their lives. Still others receive only light temptation. Such things are decided by God, and we can trust his wisdom.
Be thankful for the smallest blessing and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean.