Kempis Quotes & Sayings

Jesus has now many lovers of the heavenly kingdom but few bearers of His cross. — Thomas A Kempis

By two wings is man lifted above earthly things, even by
simplicity and purity. Simplicity ought to be in the intention,
purity in the affection. — 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

What thou art, that thou art. — Thomas A Kempis

The Lord has many lovers of His crown but few lovers of His Cross. — Thomas A Kempis

He who loveth Jesus, and is inwardly true and free from inordinate affections, is able to turn himself readily unto God, and to rise above himself in spirit, and to enjoy fruitful peace. — 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

Love Him, and keep Him for thy Friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake thee, nor suffer thee to perish at the last. — Thomas A Kempis

Always be ready; always live in such a way that death can never find you unprepared. — Thomas A Kempis

Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness. — Thomas A Kempis

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

As iron cast into fire loses its rust and becomes glowing white, so he who turns completely to God is stripped of his sluggishness and changed into a new man. — Thomas A Kempis

Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul. — Thomas A Kempis

In Jesus and for Him, enemies and friends alike are to be loved. — Thomas A Kempis

Without labor there is no rest, nor without fighting can the victory be won. — Thomas A Kempis

How many perish through empty learning in this world, who care little for serving God. And because they love to be great more than to be humble, therefore they "have become vain in their imaginations." He only is truly great, who hath great charity. He is truly great who deemeth himself small, and counteth all height of honour as nothing. He is the truly wise man, who counteth all earthly things as dung that he may win Christ. And he is the truly learned man, who doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will. — 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

Too many instances there are of daring men, who by presuming to sound the deep things of religion, have cavilled and argued themselves out of all religion. — Thomas A Kempis

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

Remember that lost time does not return. — Thomas A Kempis

He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds. — Thomas A Kempis

He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure. — 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 is not truly patient who will only suffer as far as seems right to him and from whom he pleases. The truly patient man considers not by whom he is tried, one above him, or by an equal, or by an inferior, whether by a good and holy man or by a perverse and unworthy, but from every creature. He gratefully accepts all from the hand of God and counts it gain. — 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

Love is a great thing, yea, a great and thorough good.
By itself it makes that which is heavy light;
and it bears evenly all that is uneven.
It carries a burden which is no burden;
it will not be kept back by anything low and mean;
It desires to be free from all wordly affections,
and not to be entangled by any outward prosperity,
or by any adversity subdued.
Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble,
attempts what is above its strength,
pleads no excuse of impossibility.
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.
Though weary, it is not tired;
though pressed it is not straightened;
though alarmed, it is not confounded;
but as a living flame it forces itself upwards and securely passes through all.
Love is active and sincere, courageous, patient, faithful, prudent, and manly. — 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

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

My child, I am the Lord Who gives strength in the day of trouble. Come to Me when all is not well with you. Your tardiness in turning to prayer is the greatest obstacle to heavenly consolation, for before you pray earnestly to Me you first seek many comforts and take pleasure in outward things. Thus, all things are of little profit to you until you realize that I am the one Who saves those who trust in Me, and that outside of Me there is no worth-while help, or any useful counsel or lasting remedy. — Thomas A Kempis

Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault. — 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

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

Is a man one whit the better because he is grown great in other men's esteem? — Thomas A Kempis

Both above and below, without and within, which way so ever thou dost turn thee, everywhere thou shalt find the Cross; and everywhere of necessity thou must hold fast patience, if thou wilt have inward peace, and enjoy an everlasting crown. — Thomas A Kempis

Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all. — Thomas A Kempis

A humble knowledge of ourselves is a surer way to God than is the search for depth of learning. — Thomas A Kempis

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

If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest many things, and understandest them well, know also that there are many more things which thou knowest not. — Thomas A Kempis

All is vanity but to love God and serve Him. — Thomas A Kempis

Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of heaven, but he has few bearers of His Cross. Many desire His consolation, but few desire His tribulation. He finds many comrades in eating and drinking, but He finds few hands who will be with Him in His abstinence and fastingBut those who love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for their own profit or convenience, bless Him as heartily in temptation and tribulation and in all other adversities as they do in time of consolation. And if He never sent them consolation, they would still bless and praise Him. — Thomas A Kempis

Few spirits are made better by the pain and languor of sickness; as few great pilgrims become eminent saints. — Thomas A Kempis

Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest. — 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. To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection. — Thomas A Kempis

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

Although I know nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby justified,(4) because if Thy mercy were removed away, in Thy sight should no man living be justified.(5) — Thomas A Kempis

God often grants in a moment what He has long denied. — Thomas A Kempis

The deepest and most profitable lesson is this,the true knowlege and contempt of ourselves. — 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

Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more. — Thomas A 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. — Thomas A Kempis

Confidence is the illusion born of accidental success. — Thomas A Kempis

The Voice of Christ: MY CHILD, do not trust in your present feeling, for it will soon give way to another. As long as you live you will be subject to changeableness in spite of yourself. You will become merry at one time and sad at another, now peaceful but again disturbed, at one moment devout and the next indevout, sometimes diligent while at other times lazy, now grave and again flippant. But the man who is wise and whose spirit is well instructed stands superior to these changes. He pays no attention to what he feels in himself or from what quarter the wind of fickleness blows, so long as the whole intention of his mind is conducive to his proper and desired end. — 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

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

What I have given, I can take away and restore when it pleases Me. What I give remains Mine, and thus when I take it away I take nothing that is yours, for every good gift and every perfect gift is Mine. — Thomas A Kempis

The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does. — Thomas A Kempis

The world promises things that are temporal and small, and it is served with great eagerness. I (Christ) promise things that are great and eternal, and the hearts of mortals are slow to stir. — Thomas A Kempis

Let all be loved for Jesus' sake, but Jesus for His own. Jesus Christ alone is to be specially loved, for He alone is found good and faithful above all friends. For His sake and in Him let both enemies and friends be dear to thee, and pray for them all that they may all know and love Him. Never desire to be specially praised or loved, because this belongeth to God alone, who hath none like unto Himself. Nor wish thou that any one set his heart on thee, nor do thou give thyself up to the love of any, but let Jesus be in thee and in every good man. — Thomas A Kempis

A barrage of words does not make the soul happy, but a good life gladdens the mind and a pure conscience generates a bountiful confidence in God. — Thomas A Kempis

Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail. — Thomas A Kempis

Esoteric words neither make us holy nor righteous; only a virtuous life makes us beloved of God. I would rather experience repentance in my soul than know how to define it. — Thomas A Kempis

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

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

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

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

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

Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God. — Thomas A Kempis

Oh, how quickly the world's glory passes away. — Thomas A Kempis

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

Why doth a little thing spoken against thee make thee sad? If it had been more, thou still oughtest not to be moved. But now suffer it to go by; it is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the last, if thou live long. Thou art brave enough, so long as no adversity meeteth thee. Thou givest good counsel also, and knowest how to strengthen others with thy words; but when tribulation suddenly knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail. — Thomas A Kempis

As it happens I've spent a night and a day going through your records. Fascinating stuff." Kempis took a roll of parchment from his cloak and tossed it onto the desk. "You know what really bugs me?" Enli steepled his hands. "I'm on tenterhooks." "Anolamies." "Anomalies?" "Them too. — Marc Turner

So passes away the glory of this world. ('Sic transit gloria mundi.') — Thomas A Kempis

Count not thyself to have found true peace, if thou hast felt no grief; nor that then all is well if thou hast no adversary; nor that this is perfect, if all things fall out according to thy desire. — Thomas A Kempis

He who loveth God with all his heart feareth not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love giveth sure access to God. But he who still delighteth in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment. — Thomas A Kempis

Learned arguments do not make a man holy and righteous, whereas a good life makes him dear to God. — Thomas A Kempis

O Lord, you know what is best for me. Let this or that be done, as you please. Give what you will, how much you will, and when you will. — Thomas A Kempis

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

It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well. — Thomas A Kempis

When a man beginneth to grow lukewarm, then he feareth a little labour, and willingly accepteth outward consolation; but when he beginneth perfectly to conquer himself and to walk manfully in the way of God, then he counteth as nothing those things which aforetime seemed to be so grievous unto him. — Thomas A Kempis

Blessed is he who understandeth what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake. He must give up all that he loveth for his Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and lasting. He who cleaveth to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but he who embraceth Jesus will stand upright for ever. Love Him and hold Him for thy friend, for He will not forsake thee when all depart from thee, nor will he suffer thee to perish at the last. — 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

One who views thing as they are in reality, and not as they are said or thought to be, is truly wise, taught by God rather than by other persons — 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

True it is that every man willingly followeth his own bent, and is the more inclined to those who agree with him. But if Christ is amongst us, then it is necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for the sake of peace. Who is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others. — 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

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

My Son, thou art never secure in this life, but thy spiritual armour will always be needful for thee as long as thou livest. Thou dwellest among foes, and art attacked on the right hand and on the left. If therefore thou use not on all sides the shield of patience, thou wilt not remain long unwounded. Above all, if thou keep not thy heart fixed upon Me with steadfast purpose to bear all things for My sake, thou shalt not be able to bear the fierceness of the attack, nor to attain to the victory of the blessed. Therefore must thou struggle bravely all thy life through, and put forth a strong hand against those things which oppose thee. For to him that overcometh is the hidden manna given,(1) but great misery is reserved for the slothful. — Thomas A Kempis

Be ofttimes mindful of the saying, 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. (1) John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17. (3) Ecclesiastes i. 8. — Thomas A Kempis

Christ willed to suffer and be despised and do you dare complain of the same? Christ had adversaries and backbiters; and do you wish to have all men your friends and benefactors? When shall your patience attain her crown if no adversity befalls you? If you are willing to suffer naught that is against you, how will you be the friend of Christ? — Thomas A Kempis

He does much who loves much. — Thomas A Kempis

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. — Thomas A Kempis

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

The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs. — Thomas A Kempis

Our own opinion of ourselves should be lower than that formed by others, for we have a better chance at our imperfections. — Thomas A Kempis

If thou canst not make thyself such an one as thou wouldst, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking? — Thomas A Kempis

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