He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.
Thomas a Kempis
The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.
Thomas a Kempis
First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
Thomas a Kempis
How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
Thomas a Kempis
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.
Thomas a Kempis
Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.
Thomas a Kempis
Man proposes, but God disposes.
Thomas a Kempis
Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.
Thomas a Kempis
The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.
Thomas a Kempis
Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible.
Thomas a Kempis
Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible.
Thomas a Kempis
Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault.
Thomas a Kempis
Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.
Thomas a Kempis
We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.
Thomas a Kempis
It is much safer to obey than to rule.
Thomas a Kempis
But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived and reap little or no benefit from their labor.
Thomas a Kempis
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
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
Thomas a Kempis
Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.
Thomas a Kempis
At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.
Thomas a Kempis
A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.
Thomas a Kempis
If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?
Thomas a Kempis
Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.
Thomas a Kempis
How quickly passes away the glory of this world.
Thomas a Kempis
Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.
Thomas a Kempis
All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.
Thomas a Kempis
He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.
Thomas a Kempis
All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.
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
Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.
Thomas a Kempis
No man ruleth safely but he that is willingly ruled.
Thomas a Kempis
The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.
Thomas a Kempis
Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.
Thomas a Kempis
Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is.
Thomas a Kempis
A man is hindered and distracted in proportion as he draws outward things to himself.
Thomas a Kempis
What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.
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
Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.
Thomas a Kempis
I would far rather feel remorse than know how to define it.
Thomas a Kempis
Of two evils we must always choose the least.
Thomas a Kempis
Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away!
Thomas a Kempis
Remember that lost time does not return.
Thomas a Kempis
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.
Thomas a Kempis
