Of the Imitation of Christ/Book II/Chapter III
CHAPTER III.
OF A GOOD PEACEABLE MAN.
IRST, keep thyself in peace, and then thou shalt be able to keep peace among others.
A peaceable man doth more good than he that is well learned.
A passionate man draweth even good into evil, and easily believeth the worst.
A good peaceable man turneth all things to good.
He that is in peace, is not suspicious. But he that is discontented and troubled, is tossed with divers suspicions: he is neither quiet himself, nor suffereth others to be quiet.
He often speaketh that which he ought not to speak; and omitteth what it were more expedient for him to do.
He considereth what others are bound to do, and neglecteth that which he is bound to do himself.
First, therefore, have a careful zeal over thyself, and then thou mayest justly show thyself zealous also of thy neighbour's good.
2. Thou knowest well how to excuse and colour thine own deeds, but thou art not willing to receive the excuses of others.
It were more just that thou shouldst accuse thyself, and excuse thy brother.
If thou wilt thyself be borne with, bear also with another.
Behold, how far off thou art yet from true charity and humility; for that knows not how to be angry with any, or to be moved with indignation, but only against one's self.
It is no great matter to associate with the good and gentle; for this is naturally pleasing to all, and every one willingly enjoyeth peace, and loveth those best that agree with him.
But to be able to live peaceably with hard and perverse persons, or with the disorderly, or with such as go contrary to us, is a great grace, and a most commendable and manly thing.
3. Some there are that keep themselves in peace, and are in peace also with others.
And there are some that neither are in peace themselves, nor suffer others to be in peace: They are troublesome to others, but always more troublesome to themselves.
And others there are that keep themselves in peace, and study to bring others unto peace.
Nevertheless, our whole peace in this miserable life consisteth rather in humble endurance.
He that knows best how to suffer, will best keep himself in peace.
That man is conqueror of himself, and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, and an heir of heaven.