Quotes by 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.

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.

Two wings lift a person up from earthly concerns: Simplicity in intention, and Purity in feeling.

If your heart is straight with God, then every creature will be to you a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine.

If thy heart were right, then every creature would be a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and abject, but it reflects the goodness of God.

A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior.

Without the Way, there is no going; Without the Truth, there is no knowing; Without the Life, there is no living.

Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions of His table, but few of His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat of His loaves, but few that they may drink of the cup of His passion. Many are astonished at His miracles, few follow after the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities happen to them. Many praise Him and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide Himself and withdraw a little while, they fall either into complaining or into too great dejection of mind.

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

Of two evils, the lesser must always be chosen De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum