Thomas à Kempis

My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man is taken into so great favour; why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so highly exalted. These things pass all man’s power of judging, neither may any reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine judgments. When therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or when any curious people ask such questions, answer with that word of the Prophet, Just art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment, and with this, The judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. My judgments are to be feared, not to be disputed on, because they are incomprehensible to human understanding.

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.

For if he who resolveth bravely oftentimes falleth short, how shall it be with him who resolveth rarely or feebly?

It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger and sojourner, and may not put his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we sometimes endure contradictions, and are hardly and unfairly judged, when we do and mean what is good. For these things help us to be humble, and shield us from vain-glory.

To account nothing of one’s self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom.

Of a surety, at the Day of Judgment it will be demanded of us, not what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how holily we have lived.

He is truly great that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and maketh no account of any height of honor. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.

If thou desire to profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor even desire the repute of learning.

Yet, notwithstanding, temptations turn greatly unto our profit, even though they be great and hard to bear; for through them we are humbled, purified, instructed. All Saints have passed through much tribulation and temptation, and have profited thereby.

Be thou never without something to do; be reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or doing something that is useful to the community.

Arise, begin this very moment, and say, “Now is the time to do: now is the time to fight, now is the proper time for amendment.”

There is no man in the world free from trouble or anguish, though he were King or Pope.

Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so to order thyself, as if thou wert to die this day.

Happy is the man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes, and daily prepareth himself to die.

Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.

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

My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity.

All is not frustrated, though thou find thyself very often afflicted or grievously tempted. Thou art man, not God; thou art flesh, not an angel.

The fashion of this world passeth away and I would fain occupy myself with the things that are abiding.

What doth care about future events bring thee, save sorrow upon sorrow? Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. It is vain and useless to be disturbed or lifted up about future things which perhaps will never come.