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love to be great more than to be humble； therefore they 〃have become vain
in their imaginations。〃 He only is truly great； who hath great charity。 He
is truly great who deemeth himself small； and counteth all height of
honour as nothing。 He is the truly wise man； who counteth all earthly
things as dung that he may win Christ。 And he is the truly learned man；
who doeth the will of God； and forsaketh his own will。
（1） Psalm xciv。 12； Numbers xii。 8。 （2） John viii。 25 （Vulg。）。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 4
Of prudence in action
We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves； but
cautiously and patiently try the matter； whether it be of God。 Unhappily
we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others；
rather than good。 But they that are perfect； do not give ready heed to
every news…bearer； for they know man's weakness that it is prone to evil
and unstable in words。
2。 This is great wisdom； not to be hasty in action； or stubborn in our
own opinions。 A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word we
hear； nor to tell others all that we hear； even though we believe it。 Take
counsel with a man who is wise and of a good conscience； and seek to be
instructed by one better than thyself； rather than follow thine own
inventions。 A good life maketh a man wise toward God； and giveth him
experience in many things。 The more humble a man is in himself； and
the more obedient towards God； the wiser will he be in all things； and the
more shall his soul be at peace。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 5
Of the reading of Holy Scriptures
It is Truth which we must look for in Holy Writ； not cunning of words。
All Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it was written。 We
must rather seek for what is profitable in Scripture； than for what
ministereth to subtlety in discourse。 Therefore we ought to read books
which are devotional and simple； as well as those which are deep and
difficult。 And let not the weight of the writer be a stumbling…block to
thee； whether he be of little or much learning； but let the love of the pure
Truth draw thee to read。 Ask not； who hath said this or that but look to
what he says。
2。 Men pass away； but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever。 Without
respect of persons God speaketh to us in divers manners。 Our own
curiosity often hindereth us in the readings of holy writings； when we seek
to understand and discuss； where we should pass simply on。 If thou
wouldst profit by thy reading； read humbly； simply； honestly； and not
desiring to win a character for learning。 Ask freely； and hear in silence
the words of holy men； nor be displeased at the hard sayings of older men
than thou； for they are not uttered without cause。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 6
Of inordinate affections
Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure； immediately he
becometh restless。 The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest；
while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace。 The
man who is not yet wholly dead to self； is soon tempted； and is overcome
in small and trifling matters。 It is hard for him who is weak in spirit； and
still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense； to withdraw
himself altogether from earthly desires。 And therefore； when he
withdraweth himself from these； he is often sad； and easily angered too if
any oppose his will。
2。 But if； on the other hand； he yield to his inclination； immediately he
is weighed down by the condemnation of his conscience； for that he hath
followed his own desire； and yet in no way attained the peace which he
hoped for。 For true peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion； not
in yielding to it。 And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who
is carnal； nor in him who is given up to the things that are without him； but
only in him who is fervent towards God and living the life of the Spirit。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 7
Of fleeing from vain hope and pride
Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any
created Thing。 Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of
Jesus Christ； and to be reckoned poor in this life。 Rest not upon thyself；
but build thy hope in God。 Do what lieth in thy power； and God will help
thy good intent。 Trust not in thy learning； nor in the cleverness of any that
lives； but rather trust in the favour of God； who resisteth the proud and
giveth grace to the humble。
2。 Boast not thyself in thy riches if thou hast them； nor in thy friends if
they be powerful； but in God； who giveth all things； and in addition to all
things desireth to give even Himself。 Be not lifted up because of thy
strength or beauty of body； for with only a slight sickness it will fail and
wither away。 Be not vain of thy skilfulness or ability； lest thou displease
God； from whom cometh every good gift which we have。
3。 Count not thyself better than others； lest perchance thou appear
worse in the sight of God； who knoweth what is in man。 Be not proud of
thy good works； for God's judgments are of another sort than the
judgments of man； and what pleaseth man is ofttimes displeasing to Him。
If thou hast any good； believe that others have more； and so thou mayest
preserve thy humility。 It is no harm to thee if thou place thyself below all
others； but it is great harm if thou place thyself above even one。 Peace is
ever with the humble man； but in the heart of the proud there is envy and
continual wrath。
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