110+ Thomas a Kempis Quotes On Work, Law And Devotional

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. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Thomas a Kempis on love, work, law.

Top 10 Thomas A Kempis Quotes

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.
8. Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.
9. God is able to do more than man can understand.
10. Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.

Thomas A Kempis Short Quotes

• The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.
• Remember that lost time does not return.
• God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.
• The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs.
• Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.
• 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.
• 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.
• He is truly great who hath a great charity.

Thomas a Kempis Quotes About Love

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. — Thomas a Kempis

It is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of God. — Thomas a Kempis

Study, therefore, to withdraw the love of your soul from all things that are visible, and turn it to things that are invisible. — Thomas a Kempis

Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good. Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth. It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders all bitterness sweet and acceptable. — Thomas a Kempis

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible. — Thomas a Kempis

Love is swift, sincere, pious, joyful, generous, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, courageous, and never seeking its own; for wheresoever a person seeketh his own, there he falleth from love. — Thomas a Kempis

God evaluates by this criterion: How much love you invest in what you do is more important than how you do. The one who loves much is actually the one who does much. — Thomas a Kempis

Love flies, runs, and rejoices; it is free and nothing can hold it back. — Thomas a Kempis

Love is active and sincere, courageous, patient, faithful, prudent and manly. — Thomas a Kempis

Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle. — Thomas a Kempis

Thomas a Kempis Quotes About Work

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. — Thomas a 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. — Thomas a Kempis

Anyone who thinks hard work will never hurt you has never had to pay to have it done. Jesus now has many lovers of his Heavenly Kingdom, but few bearers of his cross. — Thomas a Kempis

If thou be not busy for thyself now, who shall be busy for thee in time to come? — Thomas a Kempis

Thomas a Kempis Quotes About Spiritual

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. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

If you wish to live in peace and harmony with others, you must learn to discipline yourself in many ways. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

Be therefore thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be worthy to receive greater. — Thomas a Kempis

Thomas a Kempis Quotes About Feels

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. — Thomas a Kempis

I would far rather feel remorse than know how to define it. — Thomas a Kempis

Two wings lift a person up from earthly concerns: Simplicity in intention, and Purity in feeling. — Thomas a Kempis

Trust not to your feelings for whatever they might be now, they will quickly be changed towards some other thing. — Thomas a Kempis

Love alone makes heavy burdens light and bears in equal balance things pleasing and displeasing. Love bears a heavy burden and does not feel it, and love makes bitter things tasteful and sweet. — Thomas a Kempis

We feel and weigh soon enough what we suffer from others: but how much others suffer from us, of this we take no heed. — Thomas a Kempis

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength.... It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down. — Thomas a Kempis

Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ. — Thomas a Kempis

It is better to feel repentance, than to be able to define it. — Thomas a Kempis

Thomas a Kempis Famous Quotes And Sayings

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. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a 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. — Thomas a Kempis

Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

For nothing, how little soever, that is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God. — Thomas a Kempis

We should have much more peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

Do not let your peace depend on what people say of you... True peace and joy is to be found in [Jesus] alone. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step. — Thomas a Kempis

There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

Know all and you will pardon all. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking? — Thomas a Kempis

A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior. — Thomas a Kempis

Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

Restrain an inordinate desire for knowledge, in which is found much anxiety and deception. Learned men always wish to appear so, and desire recognition of their wisdom. But there are many matters, knowledge of which brings little or no advantage to the soul. — Thomas a Kempis

If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it. — Thomas a Kempis

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. — Thomas a Kempis

All men are frail; but thou shouldst reckon none so frail as thyself. — Thomas a Kempis

Habit is overcome by habit. — Thomas a Kempis

If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ? — Thomas a Kempis

Whatsoever is done in charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth forth good fruit. — Thomas a Kempis

Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of others; for thou hast many faults and imperfections of thine own that require forbearance. If thou art not able to make thyself that which thou wishest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity to thy will? — Thomas a Kempis

And when he is out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind. — Thomas a Kempis

Simplicity is the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God, purity unites with and enjoys him. — Thomas a Kempis

The highest in God's esteem are the lowest in their own. — Thomas a Kempis

What thou art, that thou art; that God knoweth thee to be and thou canst be said to be no greater. — Thomas a Kempis

Out of two evils, the less is always to be chosen. — Thomas a Kempis

A wise and good man will turn examples of all sorts to his own advantage. The good he will make his patterns, and strive to equal or excel them. The bad he will by all means avoid. — Thomas a Kempis

In judging others a man laboreth in vain; he often erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always laboreth to good purpose. — Thomas a Kempis

Let temporal things serve thy use, but the eternal be the object of thy desire. — Thomas a 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. — Thomas a Kempis

Pass no rash condemnation on other peoples words or actions. — Thomas a Kempis

Happy is the man who renounces everything which may bring a stain or burden upon his conscience — Thomas a Kempis

It 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. — Thomas a Kempis

Who is so wise as to have a perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinion of others. Thought thine own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of another, thou shalt the more profit thereby. — Thomas a Kempis

O how quickly passes away the glory of the earth. — Thomas a Kempis

He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater. — Thomas a Kempis

It is thy duty often times to do what thou wouldst not; thy duty too, to leave undone that thou wouldst do. — Thomas a Kempis

There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God. — Thomas a Kempis

Salvation by the cross. [Lat., In cruce salus.] — Thomas a Kempis

Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest. — Thomas a Kempis

A lover of Jesus and of the truth can lift himself above himself in spirit. — Thomas a Kempis

If thou hadst simplicity and purity, thou wouldst be able to comprehend all things without error, and behold them without danger. The pure heart safely pervades not only heaven, but hell. — Thomas a Kempis

A sure way of retaining the grace of heaven is to disregard outward appearances, and diligently to cultivate such things as foster amendment of life and fervour of soul, rather than to cultivate those qualities that seem most popular. — Thomas a Kempis

As iron put into the fire loseth its rust and becometh clearly red-hot, so he that wholly turneth himself unto God puts off all slothfulness, and is transformed into a new man. — Thomas a Kempis

Simplicity reaches out after God; purity discovers and enjoys Him. — Thomas a Kempis

No confict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself. — Thomas a Kempis

Now is the time to be doing, now is the time to be stirring, now is the time to amend myself. — Thomas a Kempis

It is better to be affected with a true penitent sorrow for sin than to be able to resolve the most difficult cases about it. — Thomas a Kempis

Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away! — Thomas a Kempis

Caution is crediting, and reserve in speaking, and in revealing one's self to but very few, are the best securities both of a good understanding with the world, and of the inward peace of our own minds. — Thomas a 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. — Thomas a Kempis

Trust not to friends and kindred, neither do thou put off the care of thy soul's welfare til hereafter; for men will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of. — Thomas a Kempis

Seek not to know who said this or that, but take note of what has been said. — Thomas a Kempis

Of what use is a long life, if we amend so little? Alas, a long life often adds to our sins rather than to our virtue! — Thomas a Kempis

Thou art my glory and the exultation of y heart: thou art my hope and refuge in the day of my trouble. — Thomas a Kempis

Love is a great thing, yea, a great and thorough good. By itself it makes what is heavy light; and bears evenly all that is uneven. — Thomas a Kempis

If you can win complete mastery over self, you will easily master all else. To triumph over self is the perfect victory. — Thomas a Kempis

Faith is required of thee, and a sincere life, not loftiness of intellect, nor deepness in the mysteries of God. — Thomas a Kempis

Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort 'soever they be; for that thyself also has many failings which must be borned with by others. — Thomas a Kempis

Life Lessons by Thomas a Kempis

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.