Quotes about Meditation
Look at our fathers in the old days, living masterpieces as they are and shining examples of true religion; and see how feeble our own achievement is, almost nothing. Heaven help us, what is our life in comparison with theirs? Holy people these, true friends of Christ, that could go hungry and thirsty in God's service; cold and ill-clad, worn out with labors and vigils and fasting, with praying and meditating on holy things, with all the persecutions and insults they endured.
— Thomas a Kempis
Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul.
— Thomas a Kempis
Be faithful to your secret place, and it will become your closest friend and bring you much comfort. In silence and stillness a devout person grows spiritually and learns the hidden things of the Bible. Tears shed there bring cleansing. God draws near to the one who withdraws for a while. It is better for you to look after yourself this way in private than to perform wonders in public while neglecting your soul.
— Thomas a Kempis
O quam salubre, quam iucundum et suave est sedere in solitudine et tacere et loqui cum Deo!
— Thomas a Kempis
But let us lay the axe to the very root of our life, that, being cleansed from affections, we may possess our souls in peace.
— Thomas a Kempis
Seek a suitable time for thy meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to thee.
— Thomas a Kempis
Everywhere I have sought peace and not found it, except in a corner with a book.
— Thomas a Kempis
let thy discourse be concerning things which edify.
— Thomas a Kempis
If, with a single glance, you could see everything in the world spread out before your eyes, how fruitless a sight that would be! Raise your eyes to God on high and pray for your sins and deficiencies.
— Thomas a Kempis
The spiritually-minded man putteth care of himself before all cares; and he who diligently attendeth to himself easily keepeth silence concerning others. Thou wilt never be spiritually minded and godly unless thou art silent concerning other men's matters and take full heed to thyself. If thou think wholly upon thyself and upon God, what thou seest out of doors shall move thee little. Where art thou when thou art not present to thyself?
— Thomas a Kempis
To walk inwardly with God, and not to be held by any outer affections, is the state of a spiritual man.
— Thomas a Kempis
certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about between hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, cast himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditated within himself, saying, "Oh! if I but knew that I should still persevere," and presently heard within him a voice from God, "And if thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be very secure.
— Thomas a Kempis