Thomas à Kempis citations

Page 2

“Pour un petit avantage, on entreprend une longue route; et pour la vie éternelle, à peine en trouve-t'on qui veuillent faire un pas.”

“Est-ce faire beaucoup que de vous servir, vous que doivent servir toutes les créatures?
Cela doit me sembler peu de chose; mais ce qui me paraît grand et merveilleux, c'est que vous daigniez agréer le service d'une créature si pauvre et si misérable, et l'admettre parmi les serviteurs que vous aimez.”

“A pure, sincere, and stable spirit is not distracted though it be employed in many works; for that it works all to the honor of God, and inwardly being still and quiet, seeks not itself in any thing it doth.”

“How fast passes away the glory of this world.”
O quam cito transit gloria mundi.

“And when he is out of sight, quickly also is he out of mind.”

“There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.”

“Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.”

“If thou knewest the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it profit thee without the love of God and without grace?”

“What canst thou see elsewhere which thou canst not see here? Behold the heaven and the earth and all the elements; for of these are all things created.”

“He is truly great that is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and maketh no account of any height of honor. And he is truly learned that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.”

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

“Simplicity and purity are the two wings by which a man is lifted above all earthly things. Simplicity is in the intention — purity in the affection. Simplicity tends to God,— purity apprehends and tastes Him.”