Thomas a Kempis
Thomas a Kempis
Thomas à Kempis, C.R.S.A.; c. 1380 – 25 July 1471) was a Dutch canon regular of the late medieval period and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the most popular and best known Christian books on devotion. His name means Thomas "of Kempen", his hometown, and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken and Thomas Hämerken...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionClergyman
CountryGermany
crowns lovers lord
The Lord has many lovers of His crown but few lovers of His Cross.
redemption salvation crosses
Salvation by the cross. [Lat., In cruce salus.]
overcoming habit
Habit is overcome by habit. [Lat., Consuetudo consuetudine vincitur.]
humility men wish
Study to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose ever to have less rather than more. Seek ever the lower place and to be subject to all; ever wish and pray that the will of God may be perfectly done in thee and in all. Behold such a man enters the bounds of peace and calm.
humble understanding desire
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.
humility simplicity fame
If thou wilt receive profit, read with humility, simplicity and faith, and seek not at any time the fame of being learned.
imperfection chance opinion
Our own opinion of ourselves should be lower than that formed by others, for we have a better chance at our imperfections.
encouragement love-you important
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.
love-yourself love-you self
The better you understand yourself the less cause you will find to love yourself.
finding-yourself bears
Wherever you go, you will always bear yourself about with you, and so you will always find yourself.
fear-of-death ifs conscience
If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death.
self-esteem esteem highest
The highest in God's esteem are the lowest in their own.
foundation architecture building
The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.
mystery sincere thee
Faith is required of thee, and a sincere life, not loftiness of intellect, nor deepness in the mysteries of God.