Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis lived from c. 1380 to 1471. He was a devout Christian mystic, and author of the second most-read Christian book, "The Imitation of Christ."

Notable Quotes

“At the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

“All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

“We would be well on the way to perfection if we could weed out one vice from ourselves each year.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

“As long as you live, you will be subject to change, whether you will it or not - now glad, now sorrowful; now pleased, now displeased; now devout, now undevout; now vigorous, now slothful; now gloomy, now merry. But a wise man who is well taught in spiritual labor stands unshaken in all such things, and heeds little what he feels, or from what side the wind of instability blows.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

“Wherever you go, there you are.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

“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.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

“A lowly knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of a man’s learnings. Not that learning is to be blamed, nor the taking account of anything that is good; but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all. And because many seek knowledge rather than good living, therefore they go astray, and bear little or no fruit.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ