Thomas à Kempis - God Quotes

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What you are, that you are: neither can you by words be made greater than what you are in the sight of God.

Thomas à Kempis
Oh how swiftly the glory of the world passes away! If only the lives of these men had been as admirable as their learning, their study and reading would have been to good purpose! But how many in this world care little for the service of God, and perish in their vain learning. Because they choose to be great rather than humble, they perish in their own conceit.

Thomas à Kempis
As iron put into the fire loseth its rust and becometh clearly red-hot, so he that wholly turneth himself unto God puts off all slothfulness, and is transformed into a new man.

Thomas à Kempis
Simplicity reaches out after God; purity discovers and enjoys Him.

Thomas à Kempis
What thou art, that thou art; that God knoweth thee to be and thou canst be said to be no greater.

Thomas à Kempis
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. Simplicity is in the intention, purity in the affection; simplicity turns to God; purity unites with and enjoys him.

Thomas à Kempis
Do what lieth in thy power, and God will assist in thy good will.

Thomas à Kempis
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.

Thomas à Kempis
Praise adds nothing to your holiness, nor does blame take anything from it. You are what you are, and you cannot be said to be better than you are in God's sight.

Thomas à Kempis
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.

Thomas à Kempis
If you want to learn something that will really help you, learn to see yourself as God sees you and not as you see yourself in the distorted mirror of your own self-importance,

Thomas à Kempis
He who loveth God with all his heart feareth not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love giveth sure access to God. But he who still delighteth in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment.

Thomas à Kempis
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.

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

Thomas à Kempis
There is no creature so small and abject, that it representeth not the goodness of God.

Thomas à Kempis
Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

Thomas à Kempis
Love wakes much and sleeps little and, in sleeping, does not sleep. It faints is not weary; it is restricted in its liberty and is great freedom. It sees reasons to fear and does not fear, but, like an ember or a spark of fire, flames always upward, by the fervor of its love, toward God, and through the special help of grace is delivered from all perils and dangers

Thomas à Kempis
Remain tranquil and prepare to bear still greater trials. All is not lost even though you be troubled oftener or tempted more grievously. You are a man, not God. You are flesh, not an angel. How can you possibly expect to remain always in the same state of virtue when the angels in heaven and the first man in paradise failed to do so? I am He who rescues the afflicted and brings to My divinity those who know their own weakness.

Thomas à Kempis
Man considers the actions, but God weighs the intentions.

Thomas à Kempis
He that seeketh anything else but simply God and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but trouble and sorrow.

Thomas à Kempis
Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.

Thomas à Kempis
He does much who loves God much, and he does much who does his deed well.

Thomas à Kempis
Faith is required of thee, and a sincere life, not loftiness of intellect, nor deepness in the mysteries of God.

Thomas à Kempis
If thou seek rest in this life, how wilt them then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace — not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone.

Thomas à Kempis
The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.

Thomas à Kempis