Of the Imitation of Christ/Book II/Chapter V
CHAPTER V.
OF THE CONSIDERATION OF SELF.
E cannot trust much to ourselves, because grace oftentimes is wanting to us, and understanding also.
There is but little light in us, and that which we have we quickly lose by our negligence.
Oftentimes, too, we do not perceive how great is our own inward blindness.
We often do a bad act, and make a bad excuse.
We are sometimes moved with passion, and we think it to be zeal.
We reprehend small things in others, and pass over greater matters in ourselves.
We quickly enough feel and weigh what we suffer at the hands of others; but we mind not what others suffer from us.
He that well and rightly considereth his own works, will find little cause to judge hardly another's.
2. A Christian at heart preferreth the care of himself before all other cares. And he that diligently attendeth unto himself, can easily keep silence concerning others.
Thou wilt never be thus inwardly religious, unless thou pass over other men's matters with silence, and look especially to thyself.
If thou attend wholly unto God and thyself, thou wilt be but little moved with whatsoever thou seest abroad.
Where art thou, when thou art not with thyself? And when thou hast run over all, what hast thou then profited, if thou hast neglected thyself?
If thou desirest peace of mind and true unity of purpose, thou must still put all other things behind thee, and look only upon thyself.
3. Thou shalt profit thyself much, if thou keep free from all temporal care.
Thou shalt suffer loss if thou take thought for any temporal thing.
Let nothing be great unto thee, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable, but only God Himself, or that which is of God.
Esteem all comforts vain, which thou receivest from any creature.
A soul that loveth God, despiseth all things that are inferior unto God.
God alone is everlasting, and of infinite greatness, filling all creatures: the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart.