Thomas A Kempis Quotes & Sayings

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

By two wings a man is lifted up from things earthly: by simplicity and purity. — Thomas A Kempis

Two things specially avail unto improvement in holiness, namely firmness to withdraw ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are most inclined, and earnest zeal for that good in which we are most lacking. — Thomas A Kempis

It is not really a small thing when in small things we resist self. — Thomas A Kempis

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider, nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God, Who is created above all things. — Thomas A Kempis

For the multitude of worldly friends profiteth not, nor may strong helpers anything avail, nor wise counselors give profitable counsel, nor the cunning of doctors give consolation, nor riches deliver in time of need, nor a secret place to defend, if Thou, Lord, do not assist, help, comfort, counsel, inform, and defend. — Thomas A Kempis

In omnibus requiem quaesivi, sed non inveni, nisi in hoexkens ende boexkens"
"I have sought everywhere for peace, but I have found it not save in a little nook and in a little book. — Thomas A Kempis

We are often moved with passion and think it to be zeal. — Thomas A Kempis

It is unthinkable that a man can truly find happiness in this life, if at the same time he views himself as an exile here and sees his soul surrounded by many dangers. — Thomas A Kempis

The more humble a man is in himself, and the more obedient towards God, the wiser will he be in all things, and the more shall his soul be at peace. — Thomas A Kempis

It is not in the nature of man to bear the cross, to love the cross, to keep under the body and to bring it into subjection, to fly from honours, to bear reproaches meekly, to despise self and desire to be despised, to bear all adversities and losses, and to desire no prosperity in this world. — Thomas A Kempis

Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be. — Thomas A Kempis

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (Thus passes the glory of the world). — Thomas A Kempis

And if thy heart be straight with God then every creature shall be to thee a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine for there is no creature so little or so despised but that sheweth and representeth the goodness of God. — Thomas A Kempis

For when the grace of God cometh to a man, then he becometh able to do all things, and when it departeth then he will be poor and weak and given up unto troubles. In these thou art not to be cast down nor to despair, but to rest with calm mind on the will of God, and to bear all things which come upon thee unto the praise of Jesus Christ; for after winter cometh summer, after night returneth day, after the tempest a great calm. — Thomas A Kempis

A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning. — Thomas A Kempis

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame. — Thomas A Kempis

As soon as you have given yourself to God with all your heart and seek neither this nor that for your own pleasure and purpose, but place yourself completely in His charge, you shall find yourself at peace, united with Him, because nothing will be so sweet, nothing will please you so much as the good pleasure of His will. — Thomas A Kempis

To-day man is, and to-morrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the dulness and hardness of man's heart, which thinketh only of the present, and looketh not forward to the future. Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so to order thyself, as if thou wert to die this day. — 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

He doth much who loveth much. He doth much who doth well. He doth well who ministereth to the public good rather than to his own. — Thomas A Kempis

Habit is overcome by habit. — Thomas A Kempis

At the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done. — Thomas A Kempis

Love wakes much and sleeps little and, in sleeping, does not sleep. It faints is not weary; it is restricted in its liberty and is great freedom. It sees reasons to fear and does not fear, but, like an ember or a spark of fire, flames always upward, by the fervor of its love, toward God, and through the special help of grace is delivered from all perils and dangers — Thomas A Kempis

Man sees your actions, but God your motives. — Thomas A Kempis

In that day every trial borne in patience will be pleasing and the voice of iniquity will be stilled; the devout will be glad; the irreligious will mourn; and the mortified body will rejoice far more than if it had been pampered with every pleasure. Then the cheap garment will shine with splendor and the rich one become faded and worn; the poor cottage will be more praised than the gilded palace. In that day persevering patience will count more than all the power in this world; simple obedience will be exalted above all worldly cleverness; a good and clean conscience will gladden the heart of man far more than the philosophy of the learned; and contempt for riches will be of more weight than every treasure on earth. — Thomas A Kempis

Man considers the actions, but God weighs the intentions. — Thomas A Kempis

The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters. — Thomas A Kempis

Know thou of a surety that thou oughtest to lead the life of a dying man. And the more a man dieth to himself, the more he beginneth to live towards God. — Thomas A Kempis

Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God. — Thomas A Kempis

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

5. Be ofttimes mindful of the saying,(3) The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy heart from the love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are not seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly lusts, defile the conscience, and destroy the grace of God. — Thomas A Kempis

No one can obtain from the Pope a dispensation for never dying.
[Lat., Nemo impetrare potest a papa bullam numquam moriendi.] — Thomas A Kempis

When, therefore, spiritual comfort is given by God, receive it with giving of thanks, and know that it is the gift of God, not thy desert. Be not lifted up, rejoice not overmuch nor foolishly presume, but rather be more humble for the gift, more wary and more careful in all thy doings; for that hour will pass away, and temptation will follow. — Thomas A Kempis

Let not your peace rest in the utterances of men, for whether they put a good or bad construction on your conduct does not make you other than you are. — Thomas A Kempis

Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience. — Thomas A Kempis

Let nothing be great, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable unto thee, save God Himself or the things of God. Reckon as altogether vain whatsoever consolation comes to thee from a creature. The soul that loveth God looketh not to anything that is beneath God. God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart. — Thomas A Kempis

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

The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper and want of trust in God; — Thomas A Kempis

The good devout man first makes inner preparation for the actions he has later to perform. His outward actions do not draw him into lust and vice; rather it is he who bends them into the shape of reason and right judgement. Who has a stiffer battle to fight than the man who is striving to conquer himself. — Thomas A Kempis

Greater is Your care for me than all the care I am able to take from myself. — Thomas A Kempis

No one is so good that he is immune from temptation. We will never be entirely free from it ... There is no order so holy, no place so secret where there will be no temptation. — Thomas A Kempis

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

Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is. — Thomas A Kempis

Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou doest. Have a good conscience and God will defend thee, for he whom God will help no man's perverseness shall be able to hurt. If thou knowest how to hold thy peace and to suffer, without doubt thou shalt see the help of the Lord. He knoweth the time and the way to deliver thee, therefore must thou resign thyself to Him. To God it belongeth to help and to deliver from all confusion. Oftentimes it is very profitable for keeping us in greater humility, that others know and rebuke our faults. — Thomas A Kempis

Thinkest thou that thou shalt always have spiritual consolations at thy will? My Saints had never such, but instead thereof manifold griefs, and divers temptations, and heavy desolations. But patiently they bore themselves in all, and trusted in God more than in themselves, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.(2) — Thomas A Kempis

Love Jesus and keep Him as your friend. When all others forsake you He will not leave you nor will He allow you to perish on the last day. Whether you like it or not the day will come when you will find yourself separated from everyone and from everything. — Thomas A Kempis

All Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it was written. — Thomas A Kempis

It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should. — Thomas A Kempis

It is better for you to live privately and take care of yourself than it is to neglect your soul even though you could work wonders in the world. — 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

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

Not everyone can have the same devotion. One exactly suits this person, another that. Different exercises, likewise, are suitable for different times, some for feast days and some again for weekdays. In time of temptation we need certain devotions. For days of rest and peace we need others. Some are suitable when we are sad, others when we are joyful in the Lord. — Thomas A Kempis

Pardon me also, and deal mercifully with me, as often as I think of anything besides You in prayer. For I confess truly that I am accustomed to be very much distracted. Very often I am not where bodily I stand or sit; rather, I am where my thoughts carry me. Where my thoughts are, there am I; and frequently my thoughts are where my love is. That which naturally delights, or is by habit pleasing, comes to me quickly. Hence You Who are Truth itself, have plainly said: 'For where your treasure is, there is your heart also.' If I love heaven, I think willingly of heavenly things. If I love the world, I rejoice at the happiness of the world and grieve at its troubles. If I love the flesh, I often imagine things that are carnal. If I love the spirit, I delight in thinking of spiritual matters. For whatever I love, I am willing to speak and hear about. — Thomas A Kempis

Let not therefore thy heart be troubled, neither let it fear. Trust in me, and put thy confidence in my mercy. When thou thinkest thyself farthest off from me, oftentimes I am nearest unto thee. When thou countest almost all to be lost, then oftentimes the greatest gain of reward is close at hand. All is not lost, when any thing falleth out contrary. Thou oughtest not to judge according to present feeling; nor so to take any grief, or give thyself over to it. — 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

If you seek Jesus in all things you will surely find Jesus. And if you seek yourself, you will surely find yourself, but only to your ruin. — Thomas A Kempis

ofttimes so greatly is he comforted by the desire for tribulation and adversity, through love of conformity to the Cross of Christ, that he would not be without sorrow and tribulation; for he believeth that he shall be the more acceptable to God, the more and the heavier burdens he is able to bear for His sake. This is not the virtue of man, but the grace of Christ which hath such power and energy in the weak flesh, that what it naturally hateth and fleeth from, this it draweth to and loveth through fervour of spirit. — Thomas A Kempis

Beware, therefore, lest thou strive too earnestly after some desire which thou hast conceived, without taking counsel of Me; lest haply it repent thee afterwards, and that displease thee which before pleased, and for which thou didst long as for a great good. — Thomas A Kempis

If thou may not continually gather thyself together, do it sometime at least once a day, morning or evening. — Thomas A Kempis

Those who attempt to search into the majesty of God will be overwhelmed with His Glory! — Thomas A Kempis

Don't flatter the rich, or appear to willing before the great. — Thomas A Kempis

3. Count not thyself better than others, lest perchance thou appear worse in the sight of God, who knoweth what is in man. Be not proud of thy good works, for God's judgments are of another sort than the judgments of man, and what pleaseth man is ofttimes displeasing to Him. If thou hast any good, believe that others have more, and so thou mayest preserve thy humility. It is no harm to thee if thou place thyself below all others; but it is great harm if thou place thyself above even one. Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath. — Thomas A Kempis

The end of all is death and man's life passeth away suddenly as a shadow. — Thomas A Kempis

The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more things and the deeper things he understandeth; and that without labour, because he receiveth the light of understanding from above. The spirit which is pure, sincere, and steadfast, is not distracted though it hath many works to do, because it doth all things to the honour of God, and striveth to be free from all thoughts of self-seeking. — Thomas A Kempis

The better you understand yourself the less cause you will find to love yourself. — Thomas A Kempis

What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer. — 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

How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves. — Thomas A Kempis

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

Everywhere I have sought peace and not found it, except in a corner with a book. — Thomas A Kempis

It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men. — Thomas A Kempis

He does much who loves much. — Thomas A Kempis

He is truly great who hath a great charity. — Thomas A Kempis

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. — Thomas A Kempis

Do not read to satisfy curiosity or to pass the time, but study such things as move your heart to devotion. — Thomas A Kempis

Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to thee. — Thomas A Kempis

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself. — Thomas A Kempis

O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied
by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all
creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me. — Thomas A Kempis

No man doth safely rule, but he that hath learned gladly to obey. — Thomas A Kempis

The devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own. — Thomas A Kempis

Put thy whole trust in God and let Him be thy fear and thy love, He will answer for thee Himself, and will do for thee what is best. Here hast thou no continuing city,(3) and wheresoever thou art, thou art a stranger and a pilgrim, and thou shalt never have rest unless thou art closely united to Christ within thee. — Thomas A Kempis

Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein may I trust, save only in the great mercy of God, and the hope of heavenly grace? For whether good men are with me, godly brethren or faithful friends, whether holy books or beautiful discourses, whether sweet hymns and songs, all these help but little, and have but little savour when I am deserted by God's favour and left to mine own poverty. There is no better remedy, then, than patience and denial of self, and an abiding in the will of God. — Thomas A Kempis

Some there are who resign themselves, but with certain reservation; they do not trust fully in God and therefore they try to provide for themselves. Others, again, at first offer all, but afterward are assailed by temptation and return to what they have renounced, thereby making no progress in virtue. These will not reach the true liberty of a pure heart nor the grace of happy friendship with Me unless they first make a full resignation and a daily sacrifice of themselves. Without this no fruitful union lasts nor will last. — Thomas A Kempis

God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another's burdens; for no man is without fault, no man without his burden, no man sufficient of himself, no man wise enough of himself; but we ought to bear with one another, comfort one another, help, instruct, and admonish one another. — Thomas A Kempis

A man who truly knows himself realizes his own worthlessness, and takes no pleasure in the praises of men. — Thomas A Kempis

What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; — Thomas A Kempis

Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening if thou has spent the day profitably. — Thomas A Kempis

We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are. — Thomas A Kempis

The enemy is more easily overcome if he be not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but be resisted without the gate at his first knock. — Thomas A Kempis

Your assignment is to love everyone, accepting all that happens to you. — 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

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

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

The more the flesh is wasted by affliction, so much more is the Spirit strengthened by inward grace. — 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 may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, and things which concern not ourselves. — Thomas A Kempis

I have sought for happiness everywhere, but I have found it nowhere except in a little corner with a little book. — Thomas A Kempis

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