A man is hindered and distracted in proportion as he draws outward things to himself.
Thomas Kempis

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

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

An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.
Thomas Kempis

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

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

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 Kempis

Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.
Thomas Kempis

But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived and reap little or no benefit from their labor.
Thomas Kempis

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


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

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise not blame.
Thomas Kempis

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

He will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.
Thomas Kempis

How quickly passes away the glory of this world.
Thomas Kempis

How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
Thomas Kempis

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

If you cannot mould yourself entirely as you would wish, how can you expect other people to be entirely to your liking?
Thomas Kempis

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

It is much safer to obey than to rule.
Thomas Kempis