The voices / 211 fragments

Thomas À Kempis

1380 AD — 1471 AD

Listed in the author section of Bartlett’s ninth-edition anthology, in the linked 1905 printing. Dates reflect that historical edition and may differ from modern scholarship.

Author and source reference ↗

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Historical source references

Imitation of Christ
Christ · anthology attribution: Thomas à Kempis
Duty · anthology attribution: Thomas à Kempis
Example · anthology attribution: Thomas à Kempis
Knowledge · anthology attribution: Thomas à Kempis
Toleration · anthology attribution: Thomas à Kempis
Want · anthology attribution: Thomas à Kempis
Printed citation: Thomas à Kempis
Page 5 · printed citation: Thomas à Kempis · subject: Adversity
Page 139 · printed citation: Thomas à Kempis · subject: Judgment
Page 150 · printed citation: Thomas à Kempis · subject: Learning
Complete signed selection 451; printed byline: Thomas à Kempis; New York: Dodge Publishing Company, 1901

Archive entries

01Undated

It exalteth a man from earthly things to love those that are heavenly.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

02Undated

It is an argument of great wisdom to do nothing rashly, nor to be obstinate and inflexible in our opinions.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

03Undated

It is better to be affected with a true penitent sorrow for sin than to be able to resolve the most difficult cases about it.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

04Undated

It is better to cleanse ourselves of our sins now, than to reserve them to be cleansed at some future time.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

05Undated

It is harder work to resist vices and passions, than to toil in bodily labours.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

06Undated

It is much safer to obey than to govern.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

07Undated

It is of some consequence for a man to forego his own inclinations, even in matters of no great importance.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

08Undated

It is proper and beneficial sometimes to be left to thyself.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

09Undated

Keep company with the humble, with the devout, and with the virtuous; and confer with them of things that edify.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

10Undated

Lay not thine heart open to every one, but treat of thy affairs with the wise and such as fear God.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

11Undated

Lean not upon a broken reed, which will not only let thee fall, but pierce thy arm too.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

12Undated

Leave the great ones of the world to manage their own concerns, and keep your eyes and observations at home.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

13Undated

Let go quarrel and contention, nor embroil thyself in trouble and differences by being over-solicitous in thy own defence.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

14Undated

Let it not be grievous to thee to humble and submit thyself to the capricious humours of men with whom thou conversest in this world, but rather ... endure patiently whatever they shall, but should not, do to thee.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

15Undated

Let not the remembrance of thy former trials discourage thee.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

16Undated

Let the thing we do be what it will, it is the principle upon which we do it that must recommend it.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

17Undated

Love is eternally awake, never tired with labour, nor oppressed with affliction, nor discouraged by fear.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

18Undated

Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly, and never seeking her own.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

19Undated

Man's own judgment is the proper rule and measure of his actions.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

20Undated

Many men involve themselves deeper in temptations by being too solicitous to decline them.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

21Undated

Men are much more prone (the greater is the pity) both to speak and believe ill than well of their neighbours.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

22Undated

Men might live quiet and easy enough, if they would be careful not to give themselves trouble, and forbear meddling with what other people do and say, in which they are in no way concerned.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

23Undated

Mistake not, man; the devil never sleeps.

Thomas À Kempis / quote

24Undated

Mortality is beset on every side with crosses, and exposed to suffering every moment.

Thomas À Kempis / quote