Thomas Kempis

. . . be able to live peaceably with the hard and perverse, or with the disorderly, or those who oppose us, this is a great grace and a thing much to be commended and most worthy of a man.

Love is swift, sincere, pious, pleasant, gentle, strong, patient, faithful, prudent, long-suffering, manly and never seeking her own; for whosoever a man seeketh his own, there he falleth from love.

For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self, submission to any adversity for love of Christ; these are the things which shall give great confidence of a happy death. Whilst thou art in health thou hast many opportunities of good works; but when thou art in sickness I know not how much thou wilt be able to do.

. . . all our peace in this sad life lieth in humble suffering rather than in not feeling adversities. He who best knoweth how to suffer shall possess the most peace;

. . . speak Thou, O Lord, who didst inspire and illuminate all the prophets;

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.

But they who love Jesus for Jesus’ sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in the highest consolation.

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.