Quotes by Thomas a Kempis

About Thomas a Kempis:

Thomas à Kempis is one of the best known Christian books on devotion. His name means "Thomas of Kempen", his hometown, and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken and Thomas Hämerken.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike.

Thomas a Kempis

In omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro.

Thomas a Kempis

Go where thou wilt, seek what thou wilt, and thou shalt not find a higher way above, nor a safer way below, than the way of the holy Cross." - Thomas A Kempis (The Following of Christ)

Thomas a Kempis

Those who attempt to search into the majesty of God will be overwhelmed with His Glory!

Thomas a Kempis

If you wish to stand and progress as you ought, hold yourself an exile and a pilgrim on the earth.

Thomas a Kempis

Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God’s sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.

Thomas a Kempis

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.

Thomas a Kempis

Man proposes, but God disposes.

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

Never be entirely idle; but either be reading, or writing, or praying or meditating or endeavoring something for the public good.

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

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.

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

Remember that lost time does not return.

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

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.

Thomas a Kempis

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

Thomas a Kempis

Author Bio

  • NameThomas a Kempis
  • DescriptionGerman canon regular
  • AliasesThomas von Kempen; Thomas Haemerkken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken; Thomas Hämerken
  • Born1380
  • DiedJuly 25, 1471
  • CountryNetherlands
  • ProfessionTheologian; Writer