1379-1471, German Monk, Mystic, Religious Writer
Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.
Thomas p Kempis – [Duty]
Adversities do not make a man frail. They show what sort of man he is.
Thomas p Kempis – [Adversity]
An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.
Thomas p Kempis – [Self-knowledge]
Anyone who thinks hard work will never hurt you has never had to pay to have it done. Jesus now has many lovers of his Heavenly Kingdom, but few bearers of his cross.
Thomas p Kempis – [Work, Hard]
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.
Thomas p Kempis – [Adversity]
Be not angry that you cannot make another what you wish them to be; since you cannot make yourself what you wish to be.
Thomas p Kempis – [Influence]
Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.
Thomas p Kempis – [Christians and Christianity]
By two wings a man is lifted up from things earthly: by simplicity and purity.
Thomas p Kempis – [Purity]
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.
Thomas p Kempis – [Peace]
Don't flatter the rich, or appear to willing before the great.
Thomas p Kempis – [Flattery]
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.
Thomas p Kempis – [God]
Everywhere I have sought rest and not found it, except sitting in a corner by myself with a little book.
Thomas p Kempis – [Books and Reading]
First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
Thomas p Kempis – [Peace]
He does much who loves God much, and he does much who does his deed well, and he does his deed well who does it rather for the common good than for his own will.
Thomas p Kempis – [God]
He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men.
Thomas p Kempis – [Blame]
He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds.
Thomas p Kempis – [Giving]
How sweet it is to love, and to be dissolved, and as it were to bathe myself in thy love.
Thomas p Kempis – [Love]
If your heart were sincere and upright, every creature would be unto you a looking-glass of life and a book of holy doctrine.
Thomas p Kempis – [Heart]
Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it. and never destroy it.
Thomas p Kempis – [Thoughts and Thinking]
It is much safer to obey, than to govern.
Thomas p Kempis – [Obedience]