Thomas Kempis

Make no great account who is for thee or against thee, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with thee in whatsoever thou doest.

Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.

A passionate man turneth even good into evil and easily believeth evil; a good, peaceable man converteth all things into good.

He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater.

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.

For our worthiness and growth in grace lieth not in many delights and consolations, but rather in bearing many troubles and adversities.

. . . there is no means of escaping from tribulation and sorrow, except to bear them patiently.

They who enter the narrow way of life for Thy Name’s sake, and have put away all worldly cares, shall attain great liberty of spirit.

Happy is the man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes, and daily prepareth himself to die.

If to-day thou art not ready, how shalt thou be ready to-morrow? To-morrow is an uncertain day; and how knowest thou that thou shalt have a to-morrow?

If thou bear it unwillingly, thou makest a burden for thyself and greatly increaseth thy load, and yet thou must bear it. If thou cast away one cross, without doubt thou shalt find another and perchance a heavier.

All therefore is vanity, save to love God and to serve Him only. .