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The Imitation of Christ

Thomas a Kempis

Christianity

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Pages and passages

1. "The Imitation of Christ", para. 1. The Imitation of Christ
2. "by Thomas à Kempis", para. 1. by Thomas à Kempis Translated by Rev. William Benham
3. "Contents", para. 1. Contents
4. "INTRODUCTORY NOTE", para. 1. INTRODUCTORY NOTE The treatise “Of the Imitation of Christ” appears to have been orig
5. "INTRODUCTORY NOTE", para. 3. With the exception of the Bible, no Christian writing has had so wide a vogue or so s
6. "THE IMITATION OF CHRIST", para. 1. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
7. "THE FIRST BOOK ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE", para. 1. THE FIRST BOOK ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
8. "CHAPTER I", para. 1. CHAPTER I Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vaniti
9. "CHAPTER I", para. 6. 4. It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches that shall perish. It
10. "CHAPTER II", para. 1. CHAPTER II Of thinking humbly of oneself There is naturally in every man a desire to
11. "CHAPTER II", para. 6. 4. That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judge
12. "CHAPTER III", para. 1. CHAPTER III Of the knowledge of truth Happy is the man whom Truth by itself doth teac
13. "CHAPTER III", para. 5. 3. The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more things and the deepe
14. "CHAPTER III", para. 7. 5. O if they would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice and the planting of
15. "CHAPTER IV", para. 1. CHAPTER IV Of prudence in action We must not trust every word of others or feeling wi
16. "CHAPTER V", para. 1. CHAPTER V Of the reading of Holy Scriptures It is Truth which we must look for in Hol
17. "CHAPTER VI", para. 1. CHAPTER VI Of inordinate affections Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, im
18. "CHAPTER VII", para. 1. CHAPTER VII Of fleeing from vain hope and pride Vain is the life of that man who putt
19. "CHAPTER VIII", para. 1. CHAPTER VIII Of the danger of too much familiarity Open not thine heart to every man,
20. "CHAPTER IX", para. 1. CHAPTER IX Of Obedience and Subjection It is verily a great thing to live in obedienc
21. "CHAPTER X", para. 1. CHAPTER X Of the danger of superfluity of words Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult
22. "CHAPTER XI", para. 1. CHAPTER XI Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress We may enjoy abundance
23. "CHAPTER XI", para. 7. 5. If each year should see one fault rooted out from us, we should go quickly on to p
24. "CHAPTER XII", para. 1. CHAPTER XII Of the uses of adversity It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows
25. "CHAPTER XIII", para. 1. CHAPTER XIII Of resisting temptation So long as we live in the world, we cannot be wi
26. "CHAPTER XIII", para. 7. 5. The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of temper and want of trus
27. "CHAPTER XIII", para. 12. 8. In temptations and troubles a man is proved, what progress he hath made, and there
28. "CHAPTER XIV", para. 1. CHAPTER XIV On avoiding rash judgment Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou ju
29. "CHAPTER XV", para. 1. CHAPTER XV Of works of charity For no worldly good whatsoever, and for the love of no
30. "CHAPTER XVI", para. 1. CHAPTER XVI Of bearing with the faults of others Those things which a man cannot amen
31. "CHAPTER XVI", para. 6. 4. But now hath God thus ordained, that we may learn to bear one another’s burdens, b
32. "CHAPTER XVII", para. 1. CHAPTER XVII Of a Religious life It behoveth thee to learn to mortify thyself in many
33. "CHAPTER XVIII", para. 1. CHAPTER XVIII Of the example of the holy fathers Consider now the lively examples of
34. "CHAPTER XVIII", para. 6. 4. They were strangers to the world, but unto God they were as kinsmen and friends. T
35. "CHAPTER XIX", para. 1. CHAPTER XIX Of the exercises of a religious man The life of a Christian ought to be a
36. "CHAPTER XIX", para. 6. 4. If thou canst not be always examining thyself, thou canst at certain seasons, and
37. "CHAPTER XIX", para. 8. 6. When we draw near the time of the great feasts, good exercises should be renewed,
38. "CHAPTER XX", para. 1. CHAPTER XX Of the love of solitude and silence Seek a suitable time for thy meditatio
39. "CHAPTER XX", para. 6. 4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the more grievously becau
40. "CHAPTER XX", para. 9. 7. Why wouldest thou see what thou mayest not have? The world passeth away and the lu
41. "CHAPTER XXI", para. 1. CHAPTER XXI Of compunction of heart If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in th
42. "CHAPTER XXI", para. 6. 4. Know thyself to be unworthy of divine consolation, and worthy rather of much tribu
43. "CHAPTER XXII", para. 1. CHAPTER XXII On the contemplation of human misery Thou art miserable wheresoever thou
44. "CHAPTER XXII", para. 6. 4. Oh foolish and faithless of heart, who lie buried so deep in worldly things, that
45. "CHAPTER XXII", para. 8. 6. O how great is the frailty of man, which is ever prone to evil! To-day thou confes
46. "CHAPTER XXIII", para. 1. CHAPTER XXIII Of meditation upon death Very quickly will there be an end of thee here
47. "CHAPTER XXIII", para. 6. 4. Happy and wise is he who now striveth to be such in life as he would fain be found
48. "CHAPTER XXIII", para. 9. 7. Ah, foolish one! why thinkest thou that thou shalt live long, when thou art not su
49. "CHAPTER XXIV", para. 1. CHAPTER XXIV Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked In all that thou doest, rem
50. "CHAPTER XXIV", para. 6. 4. No sin will there be which shall not be visited with its own proper punishment. Th
51. "CHAPTER XXIV", para. 8. 6. Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned philosophy. Then c
52. "CHAPTER XXV", para. 1. CHAPTER XXV Of the zealous amendment of our whole life Be thou watchful and diligent
53. "CHAPTER XXV", para. 5. 3. Hope in the Lord and be doing good, saith the Prophet; dwell in the land and thou
54. "CHAPTER XXV", para. 8. 6. Be mindful of the duties which thou hast undertaken, and set always before thee th
55. "CHAPTER XXV", para. 11. 9. When a man hath come to this, that he seeketh comfort from no created thing, then
56. "THE SECOND BOOK ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE", para. 1. THE SECOND BOOK ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE
57. "CHAPTER I", para. 1. CHAPTER I Of the inward life The kingdom of God is within you,(1) saith the Lord. Tur
58. "CHAPTER I", para. 6. 4. Why dost thou cast thine eyes hither and thither, since this is not the place of t
59. "CHAPTER I", para. 9. 7. He who knoweth things as they are and not as they are said or seem to be, he truly
60. "CHAPTER II", para. 1. CHAPTER II Of lowly submission Make no great account who is for thee or against thee,
61. "CHAPTER III", para. 1. CHAPTER III Of the good, peaceable man First keep thyself in peace, and then shalt th
62. "CHAPTER III", para. 5. 3. There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also with others, and there
63. "CHAPTER IV", para. 1. CHAPTER IV Of a pure mind and simple intention By two wings is man lifted above earth
64. "CHAPTER V", para. 1. CHAPTER V Of self-esteem We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves, because
65. "CHAPTER VI", para. 1. CHAPTER VI Of the joy of a good conscience The testimony of a good conscience is the
66. "CHAPTER VI", para. 5. 3. He will easily be contented and filled with peace, whose conscience is pure. Thou
67. "CHAPTER VII", para. 1. CHAPTER VII Of loving Jesus above all things Blessed is he who understandeth what it
68. "CHAPTER VIII", para. 1. CHAPTER VIII Of the intimate love of Jesus When Jesus is present all is well and noth
69. "CHAPTER VIII", para. 6. 4. Let all be loved for Jesus’ sake, but Jesus for His own. Jesus Christ alone is to
70. "CHAPTER IX", para. 1. CHAPTER IX Of the lack of all comfort It is no hard thing to despise human comfort wh
71. "CHAPTER IX", para. 6. 4. When, therefore, spiritual comfort is given by God, receive it with giving of than
72. "CHAPTER IX", para. 8. 6. Whereupon then can I hope, or wherein may I trust, save only in the great mercy of
73. "CHAPTER X", para. 1. CHAPTER X Of gratitude for the Grace of God Why seekest thou rest when thou art born
74. "CHAPTER X", para. 5. 3. I desire no consolation which taketh away from me compunction, I love no contempla
75. "CHAPTER X", para. 7. 5. Be thankful, therefore, for the least benefit and thou shalt be worthy to receive
76. "CHAPTER XI", para. 1. CHAPTER XI Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus Jesus hath many lovers
77. "CHAPTER XI", para. 6. 4. Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all selfish thoughts, fo
78. "CHAPTER XII", para. 1. CHAPTER XII Of the royal way of the Holy Cross That seemeth a hard saying to many, If
79. "CHAPTER XII", para. 5. 3. Behold everything dependeth upon the Cross, and everything lieth in dying; and the
80. "CHAPTER XII", para. 7. 5. If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee, and will bring thee to the en
81. "CHAPTER XII", para. 10. 8. But yet the man who is thus in so many wise afflicted, is not without refreshment
82. "CHAPTER XII", para. 12. 10. Set thyself, therefore, like a good and faithful servant of Christ, to the manful
83. "CHAPTER XII", para. 15. 13. Oh that thou wert worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus, how great glo
84. "THE THIRD BOOK ON INWARD CONSOLATION", para. 1. THE THIRD BOOK ON INWARD CONSOLATION
85. "CHAPTER I", para. 1. CHAPTER I Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul I will hearken what the
86. "CHAPTER II", para. 1. CHAPTER II What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words Speak Lord, for thy s
87. "CHAPTER III", para. 1. CHAPTER III How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many cons
88. "CHAPTER III", para. 8. 4. “But, O shame! for an unchangeable good, for an inestimable reward, for the highes
89. "CHAPTER III", para. 12. 7. How can I bear this miserable life unless Thy mercy and grace strengthen me? Turn
90. "CHAPTER IV", para. 1. CHAPTER IV How we must walk in truth and humility before God “My Son! walk before Me
91. "CHAPTER IV", para. 6. 4. “Let, therefore, nothing which thou doest seem to thee great; let nothing be grand
92. "CHAPTER V", para. 1. CHAPTER V Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love I bless Thee, O Heavenly Father,
93. "CHAPTER V", para. 6. 4. He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not hindered. He giveth
94. "CHAPTER V", para. 9. 7. Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, pruden
95. "CHAPTER VI", para. 1. CHAPTER VI Of the proving of the true lover “My Son, thou art not yet strong and prud
96. "CHAPTER VI", para. 9. 7. “Know thou that thine old enemy altogether striveth to hinder thy pursuit after go
97. "CHAPTER VII", para. 1. CHAPTER VII Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility “My Son, it is better and
98. "CHAPTER VII", para. 4. 2. “For there are many who, when things have not gone prosperous with them, become fo
99. "CHAPTER VII", para. 6. 4. “He who in time of peace willeth to be oversecure shall be often found in time of
100. "CHAPTER VIII", para. 1. CHAPTER VIII Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God I will speak unto my Lor