Thomas à Kempis
German-Dutch priest and author of The Imitation of Christ, c. 1380-1471
16 quotes.
Quotes by Thomas à Kempis
- Arise, begin this very moment, and say, “Now is the time to do: now is the time to fight, now is the proper time for amendment.”
- Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
- First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
- First keep thyself in peace, and then thou shalt be able to keep peace among others.
- He doeth much that doeth a thing well.
- He that hath gained an entire conquest over himself will find no mighty difficulties to subdue all other opposition.
- In judging of others a man laboreth in vain, often erreth, and easily sinneth; but in judging and examining himself, he always laboreth fruitfully.
- Keep company with the humble, with the devout, and with the virtuous; and confer with them of things that edify.
- No conflict is so severe as his who labours to subdue himself.
- Occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is.
- Remember that the time once yours can never be so again.
- Suffer no hour to slide by without its due improvement.
- The acknowledgment of our weakness is the first step towards repairing our loss.
- The loftier the building the deeper must the foundation be laid.
- The reflections on a day well spent furnish us with joys more pleasing than ten thousand triumphs.
- The wealth of both the Indies cannot redeem one single opportunity which you have once let slip.