The Imitation of Christ
By Thomas, à Kempis, 1380-1471
For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of God, has brought understanding and comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages, and provided them with a source of heart-felt personal prayer. These meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, written in times even more troubled and dangerous than our own, have become second only to the Bible as a guide and inspiration.
This book had been published in over 6000 editions by 1900. It has been considered the most-published of all books other than the Bible.
Table Of Contents
Foreword
Part I: Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul
Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth
Having a Humble Opinion of Self
The Doctrine of Truth
Prudence in Action
Reading the Holy Scripture
Unbridled Affections
Avoiding False Hope and Pride
Shunning Over-Familiarity
Obedience and Subjection
Avoiding Idle Talk
Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection
The Value of Adversity
Resisting Temptation
Avoiding Rash Judgment
Works Done in Charity
Bearing with the Faults of Others
Monastic Life
The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers
The Practices of a Good Religious
The Love of Solitude and Silence
Sorrow of Heart
Thoughts on the Misery of Man
Thoughts on Death
Judgment and the Punishment of Sin
Zeal in Amending our Lives
Part II: The Interior Life
Meditation
Humility
Goodness and Peace in Man
Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose
Ourselves
The Joy of a Good Conscience
Loving Jesus Above All Things
The Intimate Friendship of Jesus
Wanting No Share in Comfort
Appreciating God's Grace
Few Love the Cross of Jesus
The Royal Road of the Holy Cross
Part III: Internal Consolation
The Inward Conversation of Christ with the Faithful Soul
Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words
Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many Do Not Heed Them
We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth
The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love
The Proving of a True Lover
Grace Must Be Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility
Self-Abasement in the Sight of God
All Things should be Referred to God as their Last End
To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet
The Longings of our Hearts Must be Examined and Moderated
Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence
The Obedience of One Humbly Subject to the Example of Jesus Christ
Consider the Hidden Judgments of God Lest You Become Proud of Your Own Good Deeds
How One Should Feel and Speak on Every Desirable Thing
True Comfort Is to Be Sought in God Alone
All Our Care is to Be Placed in God
Temporal Sufferings Should Be Borne Patiently, After the Example of Christ
True Patience in Suffering
Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of Life
Above All Goods and All Gifts We Must Rest in God
Remember the Innumerable Gifts of God
Four Things Which Bring Great Peace
Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others
The Basis of Firm Peace of Heart and True Progress
The Excellence of a Free Mind, Gained Through Prayer Rather Than By Study
Self-Love is the Greatest Hindrance to the Highest Good
Strength Against Slander
How We Must Call Upon and Bless the Lord When Trouble Presses
The Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in Regaining Grace
To Find the Creator, Forsake All Creatures
Self-Denial and the Renunciation of Evil Appetites
Restlessness of Soul—Directing Our Final Intention Toward God
God is Sweet Above All Things and in All Things to Those Who Love Him
There is No Security from Temptation in This Life
The Vain Judgments of Men
Pure and Entire Resignation of Self to Obtain Freedom of Heart
The Right Ordering of External Affairs; Recourse to God in Dangers
A Man Should Not Be Unduly Solicitous About His Affairs
Man Has No Good in Himself and Can Glory in Nothing
Contempt for All Earthly Honor
Peace is Not to Be Placed in Men
Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge
Do Not Be Concerned About Outward Things
All Men Are Not to Be Believed, for It Is Easy to Err in Speech
Trust in God Against Slander
Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life
The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life
The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle
How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Himself Into the Hands of God
When We Cannot Attain to the Highest, We Must Practice the Humble Works
A Man Ought Not to Consider Himself Worthy of Consolation, But Rather Deserving of Chastisement
God's Grace Is Not Given to the Earthly Minded
The Different Motions of Nature and Grace
The Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace
We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross
A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects
High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of God Are Not to Be Scrutinized
All Hope and Trust Are to Be Fixed In God Alone
Part IV: An Invitation to Holy Communion
The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ
God's Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man in This Sacrament
It Is Profitable to Receive Communion Often
Many Blessings Are Given Those Who Receive Communion Worthily
The Dignity of the Sacrament and of the Priesthood
An Inquiry on the Proper Thing to Do Before Communion
The Examination of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend
The Offering of Christ on the Cross; Our Offering
We Should Offer Ourselves and All That We Have to God, Praying for All
Do Not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
The Body of Christ and Sacred Scripture Are Most Necessary to a Faithful Soul
The communicant Should Prepare Himself for Christ with Great Care
With All Her Heart the Devout Soul Should Desire Union with Christ in the Sacrament
The Ardent Longing of Devout Men for the Body of Christ
The Grace of Devotion is Acquired Through Humility and Self-Denial
We Should Show Our Needs to Christ and Ask His Grace
The Burning Love and Strong Desire to Receive Christ
Man Should Not Scrutinize This Sacrament in Curiosity, But Humbly Imitate Christ and Submit Reason to Holy Faith
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