Book I, Chapter XX
Thomas à Kempis
Thomas à Kempis highlights the inner sanctum as the true abode of spiritual advancement. This isn't merely an absence of noise, but an intentional withdrawal from worldly distractions to commune with one's own soul. In an era where public piety and grand displays of faith were often valued, à Kempis stresses that true understanding and divine connection flourish in private reflection, far from the clamor and chaos of external life.