Book 1, Chapter 3
1. Blessed are those who are directly taught by the truth, not by mortal images and words, but the real truth.
Thoughts and feelings often lead us astray and are only able to unveil the truth a little.
What use is much debate about the various hidden and obscure matters, but about it later on in the court they would not be accountable to us, because we do not know about it?
What a foolish would it be if we neglect what is useful and very important, by prioritizing of what is our interest drawn to, but dangerous. We have eyes but do not see.
2. And why are we fighting over various things?
When the eternal Word speaks to us, surely we will be separated from various understandings.
From the One Word comes everything and everything become witnesses about the One, and the Word was from the beginning spoke to us, too (John 8:25).
Without Him no one could understand or consider the matter properly. People who understand that all things are one and also return everything to the one and everything is seen in relation to the one, the person will find peace in his heart and is at peace with God.
O God, the Truth, unite us with You in everlasting love. Sometimes I regret that I read and hear a lot. At Thee there is everything that I aspire to and I want. Make them quite, men who gave wisdom and mute all the creatures with Thy presence. Speak Thou, Only Thou to us.
3. The more people pay attention to his soul and unite his mind, the more sublime and the more matters that can be understood easily, because he receives light from above to understand everything. Pure, simple and firm soul, will not be disturbed by a lot of work, because he does everything for the glory of God and always dispels in his heart all self interests. Nothing is more difficult, hurdle and troublesome to our way than the our own uncontrolled desires.
Good and pious people will first think of his deed, before he rolls up his sleeves.
In this way he will not be dragged down by uncontrolled desires, but he himself would drive his desires in harmony with reason.
No greater struggle than someone's who subjects himself.
And this is what should be our task: subjecting and mastering ourselves, and advancing in virtue.
4. Any perfection in this life usually still contains thing that is not perfect, and all the views we have certainly are still foggy.
Know yourself humbly is a safer way to God than a deep and thorough investigation based on science.
Of course we should not denounce science or simple knowledge about anything, which is essentially good and governed by God, but it can not be denied, that good conscience and pious life is better than all this.
For precisely many people prefer sciences to good life, so they often stray from the right path and their work can only give a little fruit or no fruit at all.
5. Ah, if they are in combating crime and cultivating virtues as diligently as questioning things, there would be less crime and stumbling blocks in community, and it would reduce weak in spirit of monasteries!
Indeed, on the Judgment Day it will not be asked to us, what we have read, but what we have done. It will not be asked whether we speak beautiful language, but whether we lead a good live in the world.
Tell me : where are now the great masters and wise men, that during their lives we know them so well, and the names of the highest honors. Other people have seized control of their posts and wealth they had left, but I do not know if they still remember the old masters. When they lived, it seems that they were special persons, but after their death no one speaks about them any more.
6. Ah, how quickly the grandeur of this world goes by!
Had they lived according to their knowledge, they will for sure learn and provide good lessons.
Too many people are just a little concerned with their devotion to God and lost in this world because of vain knowledge.
Anyway because they would rather be famous than become humble, they become weak-minded in their mind.
Truly noble are people who have great love.
Truly noble are people who disregard their own views and not give value to the highest honor.
Truly wise are people who consider all the worldly goods as rubbish (Philippians 3:8) so that they may gain Christ.
And truly clever are people who accord to God's will and put aside their own.
Thomas a Kempis. Of 1987. The Imitation of Christ. Obor Publishers. Page 5-8
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