Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471,) also Thomas Hemerken or Hämmerlein, was a German religious clergyman and writer.
Named after his birthplace Kempen, near Cologne, Kempis entered the Augustinian convent of Agnietenberg near Zwolle in the Netherlands, took holy orders in 1413, was chosen sub-prior in 1429, devoted his life to copying manuscripts and to directing novices, and died as Superior.
Kempis wrote sermons, ascetical treatises, pious biographies, letters and hymns, and above all, the influential devotional work Imitatio Christ (c.1415–24; The Imitation of Christ.) Often considered the most influential work in Christian literature after the Holy Bible, over 1,800 editions were published by 1779. Renowned for its simple language and style, Imitatio Christi emphasizes the spiritual rather than the materialistic life, encourages the rewards of being Christ-centered, and supports Communion as a means to strengthen faith.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Thomas a Kempis
A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Awareness, Identity, Faith, God, Divinity, Self-Knowledge
He that loveth, flieth, runneth, and rejoiceth. He is free, and cannot be held in. He giveth all for all, and hath all in all, because he resteth in one highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Giving, Charity
Love feels no burden, regards not labors, strives toward more than it attains, argues not of impossibility, since it believes that it may and can do all things. Therefore it avails for all things, and fulfils and accomplishes much where one not a lover falls and lies helpless.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Love
How seldom we weigh our neighbors in the same balance as ourselves.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Hypocrisy
Do not try to find a place free from temptations and troubles. Rather, seek a peace that endures even when you are beset by various temptations and tried by much adversity.
—Thomas a Kempis
A man that is well ordered in his soul needeth little the unkind demeanor of worldly people nor yet their proud behavior.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Behavior
Few spirits are made better by the pain and languor of sickness; as few great pilgrims become eminent saints.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Sickness
Man proposes, but God disposes.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Destiny, Purpose, God
Remember, your prerogative is to govern, and not to serve the things of this world.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Memory
Love is swift, sincere, pious, joyful, generous, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, courageous, and never seeking its own; for wheresoever a person seeketh his own, there he falleth from love.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Love
A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Gifts
Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Christians, Christianity
Whoever puts his confidence in men or in any creature is very foolish.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Confidence
If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Tolerance, People
Many deceive themselves, imagining they’ll find happiness in change.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Change
Life without a purpose is a languid, drifting thing; every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves, ‘This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught!’
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Purpose
Endeavor to be always patient of the faults and imperfections of others; for thou hast many faults and imperfections of thine own that require forbearance. If thou art not able to make thyself that which thou wishest, how canst thou expect to mold another in conformity to thy will?
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Faults
God walks with the humble; he reveals himself to the lowly; he gives understanding to the little ones; he discloses his meaning to pure minds, but hides his grace from the curious and the proud.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Humility
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Leadership, Influence, Wishes
Wherever you go, you will always bear yourself about with you, and so you will always find yourself.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Spirit, Spirituality
Thou shalt ever joy at eventide if thou spend the day fruitfully.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Day
Permit no hour to go by without it due improvement.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Quality
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Peace
How sweet it is to love, and to be dissolved, and as it were to bathe myself in thy love.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Love
If you bear the cross unwillingly, you make it a burden, and load yourself more heavily; but you must bear it.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Acceptance
There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Acceptance, Reality, Opportunities
The better you understand yourself the less cause you will find to love yourself.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Identity
Pass no rash condemnation on other peoples words or actions.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Tolerance
Know all and you will pardon all.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Forgiveness
Love Him, and keep Him for thy Friend, who, when all go away, will not forsake thee, nor suffer thee to perish at the last.
—Thomas a Kempis
Topics: Friends and Friendship
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