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vile in his own sight； neither regardeth he the praises of men。 If I knew
all the things that are in the world； and were not in charity； what should it
help me before God； who is to judge me according to my deeds？
2。 Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge； for therein is found much
distraction and deceit。 Those who have knowledge desire to appear
learned； and to be called wise。 Many things there are to know which
profiteth little or nothing to the soul。 And foolish out of measure in he
who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve to his soul's
health。 Many words satisfy not the soul； but a good life refresheth the
mind； and a pure conscience giveth great confidence towards God。
3。 The greater and more complete thy knowledge； the more severely
shalt thou be judged； unless thou hast lived holily。 Therefore be not lifted
up by any skill or knowledge that thou hast； but rather fear concerning the
knowledge which is given to thee。 If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest
many things； and understandest them well； know also that there are many
more things which thou knowest not。 Be not high…minded； but rather
confess thine ignorance。 Why desirest thou to lift thyself above another；
when there are found many more learned and more skilled in the Scripture
than thou？ If thou wilt know and learn anything with profit； love to be
thyself unknown and to be counted for nothing。
4。 That is the highest and most profitable lesson； when a man truly
knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself。 To account nothing of one's self；
and to think always kindly and highly of others； this is great and perfect
wisdom。 Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly and grievously；
yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he； for thou knowest not
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
how long thou shalt keep thine integrity。 All of us are weak and frail；
hold thou no man more frail than thyself。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 3
Of the knowledge of truth
Happy is the man whom Truth by itself doth teach； not by figures and
transient words； but as it is in itself。（1） Our own judgement and feelings
often deceive us； and we discern but little of the truth。 What doth it
profit to argue about hidden and dark things； concerning which we shall
not be even reproved in the judgement； because we knew them not？ Oh；
grievous folly； to neglect the things which are profitable and necessary；
and to give our minds to things which are curious and hurtful！ Having
eyes； we see not。
2。 And what have we to do with talk about genus and species！ He to
whom the Eternal Word speaketh is free from multiplied questionings。
From this One Word are all things； and all things speak of Him； and this is
the Beginning which also speaketh to us。（2） No man without Him
understandeth or rightly judgeth。 The man to whom all things are one；
who bringeth all things to one； who seeth all things in one； he is able to
remain steadfast of spirit； and at rest in God。 O God； who art the Truth；
make me one with Thee in everlasting love。 It wearieth me oftentimes to
read and listen to many things； in Thee is all that I wish for and desire。
Let all the doctors hold their peace； let all creation keep silence before
Thee： speak Thou alone to me。
3。 The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself； the more
things and the deeper things he understandeth； and that without labour；
because he receiveth the light of understanding from above。 The spirit
which is pure； sincere； and steadfast； is not distracted though it hath many
works to do； because it doth all things to the honour of God； and striveth
to be free from all thoughts of self…seeking。 Who is so full of hindrance
and annoyance to thee as thine own undisciplined heart？ A man who is
good and devout arrangeth beforehand within his own heart the works
which he hath to do abroad； and so is not drawn away by the desires of his
evil will； but subjecteth everything to the judgement of right reason。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Who hath a harder battle to fight than he who striveth for self…mastery？
And this should be our endeavour； even to master self； and thus daily to
grow stronger than self； and go on unto perfection。
4。 All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in this life； and all
our power of sight is not without some darkness。 A lowly knowledge of
thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of man's learning。
Not that learning is to be blamed； nor the taking account of anything that
is good； but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all。 And
because many seek knowledge rather than good living； therefore they go
astray； and bear little or no fruit。
5。 O if they would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice and the
planting of virtue which they give unto vain questionings； there had not
been so many evil doings and stumbling…blocks among the laity； nor such
ill living among houses of religion。 Of a surety； at the Day of Judgement
it will be demanded of us； not what we have read； but what we have done；
not how well we have spoken； but how holily we have lived。 Tell me；
where now are all those masters and teachers； whom thou knowest well；
whilst they were yet with you； and flourished in learning？ Their stalls
are now filled by others； who perhaps never have one thought concerning
them。 Whilst they lived they seemed to be somewhat； but now no one
speaks of them。
6。 Oh how quickly passeth the glory of the world away！ Would that
their life and knowledge had agreed together！ For then would they have
read and inquired unto good purpose。 How many perish through empty
learning in this world； who care little for serving God。 And because they
love to be great more than to be humble； therefore they 〃have become vain
in their imaginations。〃 He on