The Imitation of Christ (Dover Thrift Editions)
by Thomas à Kempis
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Book Summary Information
Author: Thomas à KempisBrand: Dover Publications
Translator: Aloysius Croft
Translator: Harold Bolton
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-09-18
ISBN: 0486431851
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Dover Publications
Book Reviews of The Imitation of Christ (Dover Thrift Editions)
Book Review: Brief Summary and Review - Great Classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
Whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ. All is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone (Chapter 1). If you wish to learn and appreciate something worthwhile, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing (2). He who does God's will and renounces his own is truly very learned (3). Consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will (4). We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said (5). True peace of heart, then, is found in resisting passions, not in satisfying them (6). Associate with the humble and the simple, with the devout and virtuous, and with them speak of edifying things (7). Shun the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity (10). If you but consider what peace a good life will bring to yourself and what joy it will give to others, I think you will be more concerned about your spiritual progress (11). A man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men (12). There is no state so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come (13). If God were the sole object of our desire we would not be disturbed so easily by opposition to our opinions (14). Without charity external work is of no value (15). Bear patiently with the defects and infirmities of others because you also have many a fault that others must endure (16). He who seeks anything but God alone and the salvation of his soul will find only trouble and grief (17). Just men depend on the grace of God rather than on their own wisdom in keeping their resolutions (19). No man is safe in speaking unless he loves to be silent (20). IF YOU wish to make progress in virtue discipline your senses (21). They who undertake many pilgrimages seldom become holy (23). Learn to suffer little things now that you may not have to suffer greater ones in eternity (24). Study to overcome the faults that in others very frequently displease you (25).
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
A man is upset and distracted only in proportion as he engrosses himself in externals (1). If you know how to suffer in silence, you will undoubtedly experience God's help (2). First keep peace with yourself; then you will be able to bring peace to others (3). Simplicity leads to God, purity embraces and enjoys Him (4). To value anything that is temporal is a great mistake (5). A good conscience can bear a great deal and can bring joy even in the midst of adversity (6). You will find, apart from Him, that nearly all the trust you place in men is a total loss (7). Let all things be loved for the sake of Jesus, but Jesus for His own sake (8). A man must fight long and bravely against himself before he learns to master himself fully and to direct all his affections toward God (9). Resign yourself to patience rather than to comfort, to carrying your cross rather than to enjoyment (10). There is no salvation of soul or hope of everlasting life but in the cross (11).
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
Blessed are the ears that catch the accents of divine whispering, and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world. Blessed are they who long to give their time to God, and who cut themselves off from the hindrances of the world (1). Write My words in your heart and meditate on them earnestly, for in time of temptation they will be very necessary. What you do not understand when you read, you will learn in the day of visitation (3). Let nothing seem important or precious or desirable except that which is everlasting (4). A lover must embrace willingly all that is difficult and bitter for the sake of the Beloved, and he should not turn away from Him because of adversities (5). Fight like a good soldier and if you sometimes fall through weakness, rise again with greater strength than before (6). For a man's merits are not measured by many visions or consolations, or by knowledge of the Scriptures, or by his being in a higher position than others, but by the truth of his humility, by his capacity for divine charity, by his constancy in seeking purely and entirely the honor of God, by his disregard and positive contempt of self, and more, by preferring to be despised and humiliated rather than honored by others (7). If you seek yourself in anything, you immediately fail interiorly and become dry of heart (9). Of two evils, the lesser is always to be chosen (12). Learn quickly to submit yourself to your superior if you wish to conquer your own flesh, for the exterior enemy is more quickly overcome if the inner man is not laid waste (13). Not every desire is from the Holy Spirit, even though it may seem right and good (15). You cannot be satisfied with any temporal goods because you were not created to enjoy them (16). The truly patient man accepts it gratefully from the hand of God, and counts it a great gain (19). Seek to do the will of others rather than your own. Always choose to have less rather than more. Look always for the last place and seek to be beneath all others. Always wish and pray that the will of God be fully carried out in you (23). It is the mark of a perfect man to pass through many cares as though he had none (27). Do not let your peace depend on the words of men (28). You can never be perfectly free unless you completely renounce self (32). Do not trust in your present feeling, for it will soon give way to another (33). In this life you are never safe with the shield of patience (35). Trust firmly in the Lord, and do not fear the judgment of men (36). A man's true progress consists in denying himself, and the man who has denied himself is truly free and secure (39). We are blinded and quickly misled by vanity (40). The kingdom of heaven consists not in talk but in virtue (43). Who does not have God before his eyes is easily moved by a word of disparagement (46). Blessed is the man who crucifies the desires of the flesh (48). Ask not for what is pleasing and convenient to yourself, but for what is acceptable to Me (49). Prefer attendance upon God to all outward occupation (53). Patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing to Me than much consolation and devotion when things are going well (57).
BOOK FOUR: AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION
Come to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. The bread that I will give is My Flesh, for the life of the world. Take you and eat: this is My Body, which shall be delivered for you. Do this for the commemoration of Me. He that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, abides in Me, and I in him (Matt. 11:2, John 6:52, 1 Cor. 11:24, John 6:57, John 6:64). The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." We should receive Christ with great reverence (1). God's great goodness and love is shown to man in the sacrament of communion (2). It is profitable to receive communion often (3). We should approach the celebration and reception of this Sacrament with the deepest humility of heart and suppliant reverence, with complete faith and the pious intention of giving honor to God (7). Whatever may injure charity and lessen brotherly love (9). Observe the accepted rule as laid down by superiors, and look to the benefit of others rather than to your own devotion or inclination (10). The grace of devotion is acquired through humility and self-denial (15). We should show our needs to Christ and ask His grace (16).
Summary of The Imitation of Christ (Dover Thrift Editions)
This classic, second only to the Bible for religious instruction and inspiration, has brought understanding and comfort to millions for centuries. Written in a candid and conversational style, the topics include liberation from worldly inclinations, preparation and consolations of prayer, and the place of eucharistic communion in a devout life.
The Thomas à Kempis fan club includes St. Ignatius, Thomas Merton, Thomas More, and even Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. (She reads a chapter of The Imitation of Christ every night before sleep.) Imitation has exerted immense influence on Christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broad-minded guidance about the central task of Christian life--learning to live like Jesus. Better to read this book a little here and there, now and then, than to try gobbling it cover to cover. Imitation is no triumph of orderly thinking, but it's a great monument and incentive to deep living. --Michael Joseph Gross
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