Thomas a Kempis
How should thy patience be crowned in heaven if none adversity should befall to thee in earth? If thou wilt suffer none adversity how mayest thou be the friend of Christ?Collection: Adversity
It is no little wisdom for you to keep yourself in silence and in good peace when evil words are spoken to you, and to turn your heart to God and not to be troubled with the judgment of others.Collection: Inspirational
The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.Collection: Obeying The Law
O how quickly passes away the glory of the earth.Collection: Passing Away
Learned arguments do not make a man holy and righteous, whereas a good life makes him dear to God.Collection: Good Life
It carries a burden which is no burden; it will not be kept back by anything low and mean; it desires to be free from all wordly affections, and not to be entangled by any outward prosperity, or by any adversity subdued.Collection: Mean
For they truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose heart within them so vehemently burneth, whilst Thou, O blessed Jesus, dost walk and converse with them.Collection: Jesus
No confict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself.Collection: Self Control
One who views thing as they are in reality, and not as they are said or thought to be, is truly wise, taught by God rather than by other personsCollection: Wise
He rides pleasantly enough whom the grace of God carries.Collection: Grace
For the multitude of worldly friends profiteth not, nor may strong helpers anything avail, nor wise counselors give profitable counsel, nor the cunning of doctors give consolation, nor riches deliver in time of need, nor a secret place to defend, if Thou, Lord, do not assist, help, comfort, counsel, inform, and defend.Collection: God
Oh, how quickly the world's glory passes away.Collection: Passing Away
No man doth safely rule, but he that hath learned gladly to obey.Collection: Men
Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault.Collection: Men
Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away!Collection: Passing Away
Thy peace shall be in much patience.Collection: Patient
At the least bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully.Collection: Bears
Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.Collection: Patience
Of two evils, the lesser must always be chosen De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendumCollection: Two
Love longs to be free, a stranger to every worldly desire, lest its inner vision become dimmed, and lest worldly self-interest hinder it or ill-fortune cast it down.Collection: Love
He is truly great that is little in himself, and that maketh no account of any height of honors.Collection: Character
Our own opinion of ourselves should be lower than that formed by others, for we have a better chance at our imperfections.Collection: Imperfection
Wherever you go, you will always bear yourself about with you, and so you will always find yourself.Collection: Finding Yourself
He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater.Collection: Littles
And when he is out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind.Collection: Sight
Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.Collection: Christ
Set me free from evil passions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections; that being inwardly cured and thoroughly cleansed, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere.Collection: Love
If thou be not busy for thyself now, who shall be busy for thee in time to come?Collection: Work
Thou shalt ever joy at eventide if thou spend the day fruitfully.Collection: Happiness
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.Collection: Love
Have therefore zeal to better thyself and then mayst thou have zeal to thy neighbor.Collection: Justice
Is a man one whit the better because he is grown great in other men's esteem?Collection: Greatness
The end of all is death and man's life passeth away suddenly as a shadow.Collection: Death
Seek not to know who said this or that, but take note of what has been said.Collection: Notes
It is thy duty often times to do what thou wouldst not; thy duty too, to leave undone that thou wouldst do.Collection: Army
If you would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven. For he who give the us occasion to fight, to the end we may get the victory, is ready to succor those that fight manfully, and do trust in his grace.Collection: Fighting
When comfort is withdrawn, do not be cast down, but humbly and patiently await the visitation of God. He is able and powerful to give you more grace and more spiritual comfort than you first had.Collection: Spiritual
The good devout man first makes inner preparation for the actions he has later to perform. His outward actions do not draw him into lust and vice; rather it is he who bends them into the shape of reason and right judgement. Who has a stiffer battle to fight than the man who is striving to conquer himself.Collection: Fighting
God evaluates by this criterion: How much love you invest in what you do is more important than how you do. The one who loves much is actually the one who does much.Collection: Encouragement
Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle.Collection: Love
Some people are tempted most strongly at the beginning of their spiritual life, others near the end. Some are troubled all their lives. Still others receive only light temptation. Such things are decided by God, and we can trust his wisdom.Collection: Spiritual
The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.Collection: Inspirational
It thou seek rest in this life, how wilt thou then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace--not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone.Collection: Men
Do not be influenced by the importance of the writer, and whether his learning be great or small, but let the love of pure truth draw you to read. Do not inquire, Who said this? but pay attention to what is said.Collection: Attention
Whatever you do, do it with intelligence, and keep the end in view.Collection: Life
Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee; All passeth away: God only shall stay. Patience wins all: Who hath God, needeth nothing; For God is his All.Collection: God
If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.Collection: Bears