Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter IX
CHAPTER IX.
OF SUBJECTION AND OBEDIENCE.
T is a great matter to live in obedience, to be under a superior and not to be at our own disposing.
It is much safer to obey than to govern.
Many live under obedience, rather for necessity than for love; such are discontented, and do murmur. Neither can they attain to freedom of mind, unless they heartily put themselves under obedience for the love of God.
Go whither thou wilt, thou shalt find no rest, but in humble subjection to the government of a superior. Many deceive themselves, imagining to find happiness in change.
2. It is true, that everyone willingly doeth that which agreeth with his own liking, and inclineth most to those that are of his own mind.
But if God be amongst us, we must sometimes cease to adhere to our own opinion for the sake of peace.
Who is so wise than he can know fully all things?
Be not therefore confident in thine own opinion; but be willing to hear the judgment of others.
If thy thought be good, and yet thou partest with it for God, and followest the opinion of another, it shall turn to thy good.
3. I have often heard, that it is safer to hear and to take counsel, than to give it.
It may also happen, that a man's opinion may be good; yet to refuse to yield to others when reason or a special cause requireth it, is a mark of stiffness and pride.