Quotes from Thomas a Kempis

As iron cast into fire loses its rust and becomes glowing white, so he who turns completely to God is stripped of his sluggishness and changed into a new man.

All that is in the world is vanity except to love God and serve him only.

The deepest and most profitable lesson is this,the true knowlege and contempt of ourselves.

Nergens heb ik meer rust gevonden dan in bossen en boeken.

Increase this love in me, that in my innermost being I may taste the sweetness of your love. Melt my heart that I may swim in your love...Let me sing the song of your love and follow you into heaven, my beloved. Let my soul soar in your praise and rejoice in your love. Let me love you more than myself, and love myself only in you.

Every time I catch myself trying to figure out other people's motives, I'll stop and ask myself: "What did I say or do that prompted the action? Why did I react to it as I did? Does what happened make a major difference to me, or am I making something big out of a trifle?" Leave off that excessive desire of knowing; therein is found much distraction There are many things the knowledge of which is of little or no profit to the soul.

How seldom we weigh our neighbors in the same balance as ourselves.

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

What else does anxiety about the future bring you but sorrow upon sorrow?

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

Man proposes, but God disposes.

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