Thomas Kempis

. . . do with me what Thou wilt, for whatsoever Thou shalt do with me cannot be aught but good. Blessed be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in darkness:

O Lord, self-renunciation is not the work of one day, nor children's sport; yea, rather in this word is included all perfection.

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

There is no more grievous and deadly enemy to the soul than thou art to thyself, if thou art not led by the Spirit.

Deliver me from evil passions, and cleanse my heart from all inordinate affections, that, being healed and altogether cleansed within, I may be made ready to love, strong to suffer, steadfast to endure.

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.

What is all flesh in Thy sight? For how shall the clay boast against Him that fashioned it?

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. .

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