Quotes from Thomas a Kempis

Of two evils we must always choose the least.

Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.

Happy is the man who renounces everything which may bring a stain or burden upon his conscience

He who knows himself well is mean and abject in his own sight, and takes no delight in the vain praise of men.

A man is hindered and distracted in proportion as he draws outward things to himself.

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.

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.

No man is without his load of trouble.

For man plans, but God arranges.

No man ruleth safely but he that is willingly ruled.

Such as every man is inwardly so he judgeth outwardly.

No man is safe above but he that will gladly be beneath.

No man doth safely rule, but he that hath learned gladly to obey.

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.

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.

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?

Set not thyself to attain much rest, but much patience.

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.

Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.

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.

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

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.

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

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.