When it comes to timeless spiritual wisdom and practical guidance for living a devout Christian life, few authors have left as enduring a legacy as Thomas à Kempis. Best known for his classic devotional book The Imitation of Christ, his words continue to inspire readers across centuries. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most powerful Thomas a Kempis quotes – reflections that speak to the soul, encourage humility, and offer clarity in times of confusion.
Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth or simply words to meditate on, Thomas à Kempis quotes offer profound insight into faith, discipline, and inner peace.
Thomas A Kempis Quotes
- Those who attempt to search into the majesty of God will be overwhelmed with His Glory!
2. If you wish to draw profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never with the design of gaining a reputation for learning.
3. Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.
4. At the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done.
5. Give me courage to resist, patience to endure, constancy to persevere.
6. Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall have abundance of peace.
7. Do not trouble about those who are with you or against you, but take care that God be with you in everything you do.
8. Of two evils we must always choose the least.
9. Many are secretly seeking their own ends in what they do, yet know it not.
10. Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.
11. Quickly enough we feel and reckon up what we bear at the hands of others, but we reflect not how much others are bearing from us.
12. Remember that lost time does not return.
13. Your sole desire should be the glory of God, not the praise of others.
14. All that is in the world is vanity except to love God and serve him only.
15. If you take on too much, your overcommitted schedules will become monsters that interfere with my agenda for you.
16. Nothing will hinder you more than thinking only about yourself.
17. Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.
18. All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in this life, and all our power of sight is not without some darkness.
19. It’s meaningless to live a long life if you think only about yourself, and give no thought to caring about others.
20. You were born to work, so why do you look for rest?
21. The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.
22. 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.
23. God often grants in a moment what He has long denied.
24. The deepest and most profitable lesson is this,the true knowlege and contempt of ourselves.
25. Let temporal things be in the use, eternal things in the desire.
26. Your assignment is to love everyone, accepting all that happens to you.
27. Mightily and long must a man strive within himself before he learn altogether to overcome himself, and to draw his whole affection towards God.
28. 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.
29. For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.
30. 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.
31. Wherever you go, there you are.
32. If you cannot recollect yourself continuously, do so once a day at least, in the morning or in the evening. In the morning make a resolution and in the evening examine yourself on what you have said this day, what you have done and thought, for in these things perhaps you have often offended God and those about you.
33. Everywhere I have sought rest and not found it, except sitting in a corner by myself with a little book.
34. We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of God.
35. If you gave more frequent thought to your death than to a long life, you would unquestionably be more eager to amend your life.
36. To have no opinion of ourselves, and to think always well and highly of others, is great wisdom and perfection.
37. 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.
38. You will never find peace unless you are united with Christ in the very depths of your heart.
39. It is not really a small thing when in small things we resist self.
40. Who struggles more than those who strive to overcome themselves?
41. Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
42. 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
43. Whoever loves much, does much…
44. Because our hearts are frivolous and because we ignore our faults we never discover the sickness in our souls, but idly we laugh when we have full reason to weep.
45. We would be well on the way to perfection if we could weed out one vice from ourselves each year
46. First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
47. If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance.
48. Take pains to be patient in bearing the faults and weaknesses of others, for you too have many flaws that others must put up with.
49. Greater is Your care for me than all the care I am able to take from myself.
50. Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or endeavoring something for the public good.
51. Learned arguments do not make a man holy and righteous, whereas a good life makes him dear to God.
52. 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.
53. The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and trifling matters.
54. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it.
55. No man can safely speak, unless he who would gladly remain silent.
56. The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.
57. But why do we talk and gossip so continually, seeing that we so rarely resume our silence without some hurt done to our conscience?
58. Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul.
59. Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection.
60. Sometimes my sin is not what I do; it also describes what I don’t do when I know I should.
61. The Lord bestows his blessings there, where he finds the vessels empty.
62. A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike.
63. The highest does not stand without the lowest.
64. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom.
65. 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
66. Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me.
67. This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn in our own opinions.
68. 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.
69. Unhappily we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others, rather than good
70. The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.
71. All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.
72. A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver.
73. Fight like a man. Habit is overcome by habit.
74. Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.
75. It is vanity to desire a long life and to take no heed of a good life.
76. If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?
77. Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more.
78. We would willingly have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults. We would have others severely corrected and will not be corrected ourselves. The large liberty of others displeases us, and yet we will not have our own desires denied us. We will have others kept under by strict laws, but in no sort will ourselves be restrained. And thus it appears how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
79. 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.
80. Do not let your peace depend on what people say of you… True peace and joy is to be found in [Jesus] alone.
81. How should thy patience be crowned in heaven if none adversity should befall to thee in earth? If thou wilt suffer none adversity how mayest thou be the friend of Christ?
82. 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.
83. Two wings lift a person up from earthly concerns: Simplicity in intention, and Purity in feeling.
84. Peace and happiness are what you covet, but these are only to be obtained by labor.
85. All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.
86. 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?
87. It is no little wisdom for you to keep yourself in silence and in good peace when evil words are spoken to you, and to turn your heart to God and not to be troubled with the judgment of others.
88. 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.
89. Love is a great thing…which alone maketh every burden light.. Love is watchful, and while sleeping, still keeps watch; though fatigued, it is not weary; though pressed, it is not forced. Love is sincere, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, and manly. Love is humble and upright, not weak, not fickle, nor intent on vain things; sober chaste, steadfast, quiet, and guarded in all the senses.
90. 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.
91. In Jesus and for Him, enemies and friends alike are to be loved.
92. No man ruleth safely but he that is willingly ruled.
93. How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
94. 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.
95. Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.
96. No one is qualified to converse in public except those contented to do without such conversation.
97. Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.
98. Have therefore zeal to better thyself and then mayst thou have zeal to thy neighbor.
99. And when he is out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind.
100. If we live in peace ourselves, we in turn may bring peace to others. A peaceable man does more good than a learned one.
101. 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.
102. Confidence is the illusion born of accidental success.
103. Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.
104. Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is.
105. 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.
106. He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.
107. 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.
108. 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.
109. He is truly great that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and maketh no account of any height of honor. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.
110. 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.
111. 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.
112. Blessed is the pilgrim, who in every place, and at all times of this his banishment in the body, calling upon the holy name of Jesus, calleth to mind his native heavenly land, where his blessed Master, the King of saints and angels, waiteth to receive him. Blessed is the pilgrim who seeketh not an abiding place unto himself in this world; but longeth to be dissolved, and be with Christ in heaven.
113. Blessed are the simple, for they shall have much peace.
114. Do not read to satisfy curiosity or to pass the time, but study such things as move your heart to devotion.
115. 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.
116. Such as every man is inwardly so he judgeth outwardly.
117. Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.
118. Salvation by the cross.
119. What thou art, that thou art.
120. Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening, if thou spend the day profitably.
121. Few spirits are made better by the pain and languor of sickness; as few great pilgrims become eminent saints.
122. 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.
123. If thou be not busy for thyself now, who shall be busy for thee in time to come?
124. In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.
125. What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.
126. Many deceive themselves, imagining they’ll find happiness in change.
127. Do not interfere when your opinion is not sought.
128. 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.
129. Temptations discover what you are.
130. 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.
131. 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.
132. 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.
133. If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.
134. Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.
135. 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.
136. He who knows himself well is mean and abject in his own sight, and takes no delight in the vain praise of men.
137. 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.
138. A man of peace does more good than a very learned man.
139. Without labor there is no rest, nor without fighting can the victory be won.
140. You are a man, not God; you are human, not an angel. How can you expect to remain always in a constant state of virtue, when this was not possible even for an angel of Heaven, nor for the first man in the Garden?
141. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.
142. Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away!
143. 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.
144. Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault.
145. No one can obtain from the Pope a dispensation for never dying.
146. Oh, how quickly the world’s glory passes away.
147. 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.
148. He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are; neither by word can you be made greater than what you are in the sight of God.
149. All earthly joy begins pleasantly, but at the end it gnaws and kills.
150. 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.
151. A disciple once complained, “You tell us stories, but you never reveal their meaning to us.” The master replied, “How would you like it if someone offered you fruit and then chewed it up for you before giving it to you?” If your heart is straight with God, then every creature will be to you a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine.
152. If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ?
153. Trust not to your feelings for whatever they might be now, they will quickly be changed towards some other thing.
154. 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.
155. Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.
156. Don’t flatter the rich, or appear to willing before the great.
Don’t flatter the rich, or appear to willing before the great.
157. If thou wilt receive profit, read with humility, simplicity and faith, and seek not at any time the fame of being learned.
158. The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs.
159. 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!
160. What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.
161. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not.
162. Now is the time to be doing, now is the time to be stirring, now is the time to amend myself.
163. Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience, withdraws from grace.
164. 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.
165. Of two evils, the lesser must always be chosen
166. 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.
167. When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs.
168. Love flies, runs, and rejoices; it is free and nothing can hold it back.
169. There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope.
170. What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?
171. He that seeks here any other thing but simply God and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but trouble and sorrow.
172. Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee; All passeth away: God only shall stay. Patience wins all: Who hath God, needeth nothing; For God is his All.
173. If you bear the cross gladly, it will bear you.
174. 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.
175. My God, Sweetness beyond words, make bitter all the carnal comfort that draws me from love of the eternal and lures me to its evil self by the sight of some delightful good in the present. Let it not overcome me, my God. Let not flesh and blood conquer me. Let not the world and its brief glory deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness. Give me courage to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere. Give me the soothing unction of Your spirit rather than all the consolations of the world, and in place of carnal love, infuse into me the love of Your name.
176. By two wings a man is lifted up from things earthly: by simplicity and purity.
177. 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.
178. Leave off that excessive desire of knowing; therein is found much distraction. There are many things the knowledge of which is of little or no profit to the soul.
179. The highest in God’s esteem are the lowest in their own.
180. Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience.
181. No confict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself.
182. A man is hindered and distracted in proportion as he draws outward things to himself.
183. At the least bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully.
184. O how quickly passes away the glory of the earth.
185. We should have much more peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others.
186. It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.
187. Love makes everything that is heavy light.
188. 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.
189. 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!
190. Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.
191. Sweet shall be your rest if your heart does not reproach you.
192. If your heart were sincere and upright, every creature would be unto you a looking-glass of life and a book of holy doctrine.
193. If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.
194. Remember, your prerogative is to govern, and not to serve the things of this world.
195. The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.
196. 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.
197. We are often moved with passion and think it to be zeal.
198. 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.
199. The intention which is fixed on God as its only end will keep people steady in their purposes, and deliver them from being the joke and scorn of fortune.
200. Seek not to know who said this or that, but take note of what has been said.
201. The measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity – adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.
202. O Lord, Thou knowest that which is best for us; let this or that be done, as Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, how much Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Deal with me as thou thinkest best. Place me where Thou wilt, and deal with me in all things just as Thou wilt. Behold, I am Thy servant, prepared for all things: I desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and oh, that I could do it worthily and perfectly!
203. At the day of judgment we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done.
204. 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.
205. If you can win complete mastery over self, you will easily master all else. To triumph over self is the perfect victory.
206. 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.
207. 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.
208. 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.
209. Happy is the man who renounces everything which may bring a stain or burden upon his conscience.
210. So passes away the glory of this world.
211. 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.
212. 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.
213. Our own opinion of ourselves should be lower than that formed by others, for we have a better chance at our imperfections.
214. Wheresoever we seek our own, there we fall from love.
215. Out of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.
216. 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.
217. 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.
218. First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
219. In the morning fix thy good purpose; and at night examine thyself what thou hast done, how thou hast behaved thyself in word, deed, and thought.
220. 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?
221. Praise adds nothing to your holiness, nor does blame take anything from it. You are what you are, and you cannot be said to be better than you are in God’s sight.
222. We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.
223. I would far rather feel remorse than know how to define it.
224. Christ was willing to suffer wrongs and to be despised, and do you dare to complain of anything?.
225. 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.
226. Our dependence upon God ought to be so entire and absolute that we should never think it necessary, in any kind of distress, to have recourse to human consolations.
227. The humble live in continuous peace, while in the hearts of the proud are envy and frequent anger.
228. All is vanity but to love God and serve Him.
229. 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.
230. Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.
231. Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will be worthy to receive greater.
232. 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.
233. If you can talk and it’s convenient to talk, try to say things that edify.
234. Anyone who is not totally dead to himself will soon find that he is tempted and overcome by piddling and frivolous things. Whoever is weak in spirit, given to the flesh and inclined to sensual things can, but only with great difficulty, drag himself away from his earthly desires. Therefore he is often gloomy and sad when he is trying to pull himself away from them, and easily gives way to anger should someone attempt to oppose him.
235. Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.
236. A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior.
237. Would to God that we might spend a single day really well!
238. Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may never find thee unprepared.
239. 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.
240. Habit is overcome by habit.
241. So fixed are our spirits in slothfulness and cold indifference that we seldom overcome so much as one evil habit.
242. Thy peace shall be in much patience.
243. The Lord has many lovers of His crown but few lovers of His Cross.
244. We feel and weigh soon enough what we suffer from others: but how much others suffer from us, of this we take no heed.
245. Do not try to find a place free from temptations and troubles. Rather, seek a peace that endures even when you are beset by various temptations and tried by much adversity.
246. All men are frail; but thou shouldst reckon none so frail as thyself.
247. 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.
248. A lover of Jesus and of the truth can lift himself above himself in spirit.
249. 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.
250. Man proposes, but God disposes.
251. How sweet it is to love, and to be dissolved, and as it were to bathe myself in thy love.
252. The end of all is death and man’s life passeth away suddenly as a shadow.
253. 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.
254. For they truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart within them so vehemently burneth, whilst Thou, O blessed Jesus, dost walk and converse with them.
255. Love flies, runs, leaps for joy; it is free and unrestrained. Love gives all for all, resting in One who is highest above all things, from whom every good flows and proceeds. Love does not regard the gifts, but turns to the Giver of all good gifts. Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds. Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil, attempts things beyond its strength; love sees nothing as impossible, for it feels able to achieve all things. Love therefore does great things; it is strange and effective; while he who lacks love faints and fails.
256. Let temporal things serve thy use, but the eternal be the object of thy desire.
257. Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every burden light.
258. Know all and you will pardon all.
259. 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.
260. 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.
261. Whoever puts his confidence in men or in any creature is very foolish.
262. My child, it will be better for you if you accept my decisions without complaint. Do not ask me to defend my actions or to explain why one person is favored and another seems slighted. The answers to these questions go far beyond your comprehension.
263. 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.
264. He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater.
265. It is better to have but little knowledge with humility and understanding, than great learning which might make you proud. For a person’s merits are not to be estimated by having many visions, or by knowledge of the bible, or by being placed in a higher position; but by being grounded in true humility, and by seeking always, purely, and entirely, the honor of God.
266. Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.
267. 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.
268. 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.
269. Oh how swiftly the glory of the world passes away! If only the lives of these men had been as admirable as their learning, their study and reading would have been to good purpose! But how many in this world care little for the service of God, and perish in their vain learning. Because they choose to be great rather than humble, they perish in their own conceit.
270. Thou shalt ever joy at eventide if thou spend the day fruitfully.
271. Bodily exercises are to be done discreetly; not to be taken evenly and alike by all men.
272. Thou art my glory and the exultation of y heart: thou art my hope and refuge in the day of my trouble.
273. Why seekest thou rest, since thou art born to labor?
274. Always keep a good distance between yourself and lying, quarreling, detracting, insulting and gossip. The person who can do that will some day learn to enjoy the silence.
275. Carefully avoid in yourself those things which distrub you in others.
276. It is much safer to obey than to rule.
277. Whatever you do, do it with intelligence, and keep the end in view.
278. He is truly great who hath a great charity.
279. The more the flesh is wasted by affliction, so much more is the Spirit strengthened by inward grace.
280. Pass no rash condemnation on other peoples words or actions.
281. No man is safe above but he that will gladly be beneath.
282. He rides pleasantly enough whom the grace of God carries.
283. The devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own.
284. It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well.
285. Scruples, temptations, and fears, and cutting perplexities of the heart, are often the lot of the most excellent persons.
286. For it is the grace of Christ, and not our own virtue, that gives us the power to overcome the flesh and the world.
287. For nothing, how little soever, that is suffered for God’s sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.
288. He is truly great who is little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest
289. Be therefore thankful for the least gift, so shalt thou be worthy to receive greater.
290. Always be ready; always live in such a way that death can never find you unprepared.
291. If thou may not continually gather thyself together, do it sometime at least once a day, morning or evening.
292. 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.
293. 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.
294. Do what lieth in thy power, and God will assist in thy good will.
295. If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death.
296. We are sometimes stirred by emotion and take it for zeal.
297. Be at peace with yourself first and then you will be able to bring peace to others.
298. Man considers the actions, but God weighs the intentions.
299. Study, therefore, to withdraw the love of your soul from all things that are visible, and turn it to things that are invisible.
300. 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.
301. 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.
302. Permit no hour to go by without it due improvement.
303. Is a man one whit the better because he is grown great in other men’s esteem?
304. For as much as many people study more to have knowledge than to live well therefore ofttimes they err and bring forth little fruit or none.
305. There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.
306. I have often heard, that it is safer to hear and to take counsel, than to give it.
307. What thou art, that thou art; that God knoweth thee to be and thou canst be said to be no greater.
308. O Lord, self-renunciation is not the work of one day, nor children’s sport; yea, rather in this word is included all perfection.
309. 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?
310. If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.
311. Simplicity reaches out after God; purity discovers and enjoys Him.
312. 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.
313. Faith is required of thee, and a sincere life, not loftiness of intellect, nor deepness in the mysteries of God.
314. It is thy duty often times to do what thou wouldst not; thy duty too, to leave undone that thou wouldst do.
315. 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.
316. 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.
317. Set me free from evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections; that being inwardly cured and thoroughly cleansed, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere.
318. 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.
319. Man sees your actions, but God your motives.
320. If you wish to live in peace and harmony with others, you must learn to discipline yourself in many ways.
321. 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.
322. He does much who loves God much, and he does much who does his deed well.
323. No man doth safely rule, but he that hath learned gladly to obey.
324. Love is active and sincere, courageous, patient, faithful, prudent and manly.
325. 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.
326. Old custom is hard to break and scarce any man will be led otherwise than seemeth good unto himself.
327. Love longs to be free, a stranger to every worldly desire, lest its inner vision become dimmed, and lest worldly self-interest hinder it or ill-fortune cast it down.
328. I can take credit for only two things: pride and sin.
329. 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.
330. May not be your peace in the mouth of the men; since no matter if they thing good or bad about you, you should not be a different man because of that.
331. For man plans, but God arranges.
332. Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.
333. For things that worth little or nothing we care a lot; and we oversight what is necessary; because every man goes towards the exterior; and if he doesn’t regain consciousness quickly, with pleasure remain involved in it.
334. Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.
335. Simplicity is the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God, purity unites with and enjoys him.
336. It is better to feel repentance, than to be able to define it.
337. Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. Thus, we should not strive for a peace that is without temptation, or for a life that never feels adversity. Peace is not found by escaping temptations, but by being tried by them. We will have discovered peace when we have been tried and come through the trial of temptation.
338. Let all your thoughts be with the Most High, and direct your humble prayers unceasingly to Christ. If you cannot contemplate high and heavenly things, take refuge in the Passion of Christ, and love to dwell within His Sacred Wounds. For if you devoutly seek the Wounds of Jesus and the precious marks of His Passion, you will find great strength in all troubles.
339. No man is without his load of trouble.
340. God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.
341. To be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse persons, or with the disorderly, or with such as go contrary to us, is a great grace.
342. He is truly great that is little in himself, and that maketh no account of any height of honors.
343. I have sought for happiness everywhere, but I have found it nowhere except in a little corner with a little book.
344. The glory of the good is in their consciences, and not in the tongues of men.
345. Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small, but let the love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, Who said this? but pay attention to what is said.
346. 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.
347. God is able to do more than man can understand.
348. Wherever you go, you will always bear yourself about with you, and so you will always find yourself.
349. 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.
350. Learn to humble yourself, you are but earth and clay.
351. Whatsoever is done in charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth forth good fruit.
352. 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.
353. 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.
354. 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.
355. He does much who loves God much, and he does much who does his deed well, and he does his deed well who does it rather for the common good than for his own will.
356. To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection.
357. 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.
358. Remain tranquil and prepare to bear still greater trials. All is not lost even though you be troubled oftener or tempted more grievously. You are a man, not God. You are flesh, not an angel. How can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state of virtue when the angels in heaven and the first man in paradise failed to do so? I am He who rescues the afflicted and brings to My divinity those who know their own weakness.
359. The better you understand yourself the less cause you will find to love yourself.
360. A humble knowledge of ourselves is a surer way to God than is the search for depth of learning.
361. He does much who loves much.
362. 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.
363. 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.
364. God deceiveth thee not.
365. You will never be an inwardly religious and devout man unless you pass over in silence the shortcomings of your fellow men, and diligently examine your own weaknesses.
366. Ah, Lord God, thou holy lover of my soul, when thou comest into my heart, all that is within me shall rejoice.
Conclusion: Thomas A Kempis Quotes
The spiritual depth and quiet strength found in Thomas à Kempis quotes remind us of the importance of inner transformation and constant communion with God.
His words, though written in the 15th century, still resonate deeply with modern readers navigating the challenges of life and faith.
By reflecting on Thomas à Kempis quotes, we not only honor a rich spiritual tradition but also open ourselves to timeless truths that nurture the soul.
Let his wisdom guide you in your journey toward a more centered, purposeful life.
