Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Thomas a Kempis

Quote by Thomas a Kempis

Work

The Confessions of St. Augustine, Including the Imitation of Christ

This volume combines two enduring works of Western Christian spirituality. The first part contains the Confessions, traditionally attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo, a deeply personal autobiographical account of one man's spiritual journey toward divine grace and understanding of God, written in the late fourth century. The second part presents The Imitation of Christ, a medieval text attributed to Thomas à Kempis that offers practical guidance on Christian living, humility, and inner devotion. These works have remained central to Christian contemplative practice and have been widely read across denominational boundaries throughout Western religious history. more

Author

Thomas a Kempis
Thomas a Kempis

Thomas a Kempis (1380 - July 25, 1471) was a German canon, known for his spiritual writings. He is best known for his work 'The Imitation of Christ,' which has had a profound impact on Christian thought and practice. more

You May Also Like

“Not by lamentations and mournful chants ought we to celebrate the funeral of a good man, but by hymns; for, ion ceasing to be numbered with mortals, he enters upon the heritage of a diviner life. Since he is gone where he feels no pain, let us not indulge in too much grief. The soul is incapable of death. And he, like a bird not long enough in his cage to become attached to it, is free to fly away to a purer air. . . . Since we cherish a trust like this, let our outward actions be in accord with it, and let us keep our hearts pure and our minds calm.”

“Art thou in misery, brother? Then I pray Be comforted. Thy grief shall pass away. Art thou elated? Ah, be not too gay; Temper thy joy: this, too, shall pass away. Art thou in danger? Still let reason sway, And cling to hope: this, too, shall pass away. Tempted art thou? In all thine anguish lay One truth to heart: this, too, shall pass away. Do rays of loftier glory round thee play? Kinglike art thou? This, too, shall pass away! Whate'er thou art, wher'er thy footsteps stray, Heed these wise words: This, too, shall pass away.”

“Defeat may serve as well as victory To shake the soul and let the glory out. When the great oak is straining in the wind, The boughs drink in new beauty and the trunk Sends down a deeper root on the windward side. Only the soul that knows the mighty grief Can know the mighty rapture, Sorrows come To stretch out spaces in the heart for joy.”