Thomas Kempis

Man proposes, but God disposes.

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.

No man ruleth safely but he that is willingly ruled.

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

It is much safer to obey than to rule.

The only safe ruler is he who has learned to obey willingly.

Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.

The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step in repairing our loss.

Out of sight, out of mind. The absent are always in the wrong.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Of two evils, the less is always to be chosen.

In judging others a man laboreth in vain; he often erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining himself he always laboreth to good purpose.

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

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

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

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.

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

Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.

How quickly passes away the glory of this world.

Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you.

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.

Occasions do not make a man either strong or weak but they show what he is.

No confict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself.

What most of all hinders heavenly consolation is that you are too slow in turning yourself to prayer.

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

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

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

Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back.

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

We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are.

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

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility; for it thinks all things lawful for itself, and all things possible.