Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter X
CHAPTER X.
OF SUPERFLUOUS WORDS.
HENSOEVER a man desireth anything inordinately, he is presently disquieted in himself.
The proud and covetous can never rest.
The poor and humble in spirit dwell in peace.
Oftentimes I could wish that I had held my peace when I had spoken; and that I had not been in company.
Why do we so willingly speak and talk one with another, when notwithstanding we seldom cease our converse before we have hurt our conscience?
Why we so willingly talk is, for that by discoursing one with another, we seek to receive comfort one of another, and desire to ease our mind.
And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we most love or desire; or of those things which we feel to be against us.
2. But alas, oftentimes in vain, and to no end; for this outward comfort is the cause of no small loss of inward and divine consolation.
Therefore we must watch and pray, lest our time pass away idly.
If it be lawful and expedient for thee to speak, speak those things that may edify.
An evil habit and neglect of our own growth in grace do give too much liberty to inconsiderate speech.
Yet discourse of spiritual things doth greatly farther our spiritual growth, especially when persons of one mind and one spirit associate together in God.
