Quotes By Thomas A Kempis

Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.

Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.

Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is.

Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.

At the Day of Judgment, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done.

Man proposes, but God disposes.

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it.

Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

I would far rather feel remorse than know how to define it.

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.

Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.

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

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.

Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.

He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver.

Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.

Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back.

We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.

Remember that lost time does not return.

No man ruleth safely but he that is willingly ruled.

Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault.

Intelligence must follow faith, never precede it, and never destroy it.

What difference does it make to you what someone else becomes, or says, or does? You do not need to answer for others, only for yourself.

Oh, how swiftly the glory of the world passes away!

The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.

How quickly passes away the glory of this world.