Thomas A Kempis Quotes

Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.

He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.

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

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.

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise nor blame.

Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.

Love makes everything that is heavy light.

God is able to do more than man can understand.

Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.

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.

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.

Constantly choose rather to want less, than to have more.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.

Be at peace with yourself first and then you will be able to bring peace to others.

For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.

Do not let your peace depend on what people say of you... True peace and joy is to be found in [Jesus] alone.

For nothing, how little soever, that is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.

The devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own.

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.

The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.

Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.

Learn to humble yourself, you are but earth and clay.

If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.

We should have much more peace if we would not busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others.

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.

There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope.

Remember always your end, and that lost time does not return.

We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.

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.

When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs.

Man sees your actions, but God your motives.

Christ was willing to suffer wrongs and to be despised, and do you dare to complain of anything?.

Man considers the actions, but God weighs the intentions.

Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.

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.

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

Know all and you will pardon all.

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