The Imitation of Christ
By Thomas à Kempis
Translated by William Benham
Contents
Introductory Note
The First Book
Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life
Chapter I: Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all its Vanities
Chapter II: Of thinking humbly of Oneself
Chapter III: Of the Knowledge of Truth
Chapter IV: Of Prudence in Action
Chapter V: Of the Reading of Holy Scripture
Chapter VI: Of Inordinate Affections
Chapter VII: Of fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride
Chapter VIII: Of the Danger of too much Familiarity
Chapter IX: Of Obedience and Subjection
ChapterX: Of the Danger of Superfluity of Words
Chapter XI: Of seeking Peace of Mind, and of Spiritual Progress
Chapter XII: Of the Uses of Adversity
Chapter XIII: Of resisting Temptation
Chapter XIV: On avoiding Rash Judgment
Chapter XV: Of Works of Charity
Chapter XVI: Of bearing with the Faults of Others
Chapter XVII: Of a Religious Life
Chapter XVIII: Of the Example of the Holy Fathers
Chapter XIX: Of the Exercises of a Religious Man
Chapter XX: Of the Love of Solitude and Silence
Chapter XXI: Of Compunction of Heart
Chapter XXII: Of the Contemplation of Human Misery
Chapter XXIII: Of Meditation upon Death
Chapter XXIV: Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
Chapter XXV: Of the Zealous Amendment of our Whole Life
The Second Book
Admonitions Concerning the Inner Life
Chapter I: Of the Inward Life
Chapter II: Of Lowly Submission
Chapter III: Of the Good, Peaceable Man
Chapter IV: Of a Pure Mind and Simple Intention
Chapter V: Of Self-Esteem
Chapter VI: Of the Joy of a Good Conscience
Chapter VII: Of loving Jesus above all Things
Chapter VIII: Of the Intimate Love of Jesus
Chapter IX: Of the Lack of all Comfort
Chapter X: Of Gratitude for the Grace of God
Chapter XI: Of the Fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus
Chapter XII: Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross
The Third Book
On Inward Consolation
Chapter I: Of the Inward Voice of Christ to the Faithful Soul
Chapter II: What the Truth saith inwardly without Noise of Words
Chapter III: How all the Words of God are to be heard with Humility, and how many consider them not
Chapter IV: How we must walk in Truth and Humility before God
Chapter V: Of the Wonderful Power of the Divine Love
Chapter VI: Of the Proving of the True Lover
Chapter VII: Of hiding our Grace under the Guard of Humility
Chapter VIII: Of a Low Estimation of Self in the Sight of God
Chapter IX: That all Things are to be referred to God as the Final End
Chapter X: That it is Sweet to despise the World and serve God
ChapterXI: That the Desires of the Heart are to be Examined and Governed
Chapter XII: Of the Inward Growth of Patience, and of the Struggle against Evil Desires
Chapter XIII: Of the Obedience of One in Lowly Subjection after the Example of Jesus Christ
Chapter XIV: Of Meditation upon the Hidden Judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because of our Well-doing
Chapter XV: How we must Stand and Speak in Everything that we desire
Chapter XVI: That True Solace is to be sought in God alone
Chapter XVII: That all Care is to be Cast upon God
Chapter XVIII: That Temporal Miseries are to be borne patiently after the Example of Christ
Chapter XIX: Of bearing Injuries, and who shall be approved as truly Patient
Chapter XX: Of Confession of our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
Chapter XXI: That we must Rest in God above all Goods and Gifts
Chapter XXII: Of the Recollection of God’s Manifold Benefits
Chapter XXIII: Of Four Things which bring Great Peace
Chapter XXIV: Of avoiding Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
Chapter XXV: Wherein Firm Peace of Heart and True Profit consist
Chapter XXVI: Of the Exaltation of a Free Spirit, which Humble Prayer more deserveth than doth Frequent Reading
Chapter XXVII: That Personal Love greatly hindereth from the Highest Good
Chapter XXVIII: Against the Tongues of Detractors
Chapter XXIX: How when Tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God
Chapter XXX: Of seeking Divine Help, and the Confidence of obtaining Grace
Chapter XXXI: Of the Neglect of every Creature, that the Creator may be found
Chapter XXXII: Of Self-denial and the casting away all Selfishness
Chapter XXXIII: Of Instability of the Heart, and of directing the Aim toward God
Chapter XXXIV: That to Him who loveth God is Sweet above all Things and in all Things
Chapter XXXV: That there is no Security against Temptation in this Life
Chapter XXXVI: Against Vain Judgments of Men
Chapter XXXVII: Of Pure and Entire Resignation of Self, for the obtaining Liberty of Heart
Chapter XXXVIII: Of a Good Government in External Things, and of having Recourse to God in Dangers
Chapter XXXIX: That Man must not be Immersed in Business
Chapter XL: That Man hath no Good in Himself, and nothing whereof to Glory
Chapter XLI: Of Contempt of all Temporal Honour
Chapter XLII: That our Peace is not to be placed in Men
Chapter XLIII: Against Vain and Worldly Knowledge
Chapter XLIV: Of not troubling Ourselves about Outward Things
Chapter XLV: That we must not believe Everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our Words
Chapter XLVI: Of having Confidence in God when Evil Words are cast at us
Chapter XLVII: That all Troubles are to be endured for the sake of Eternal Life
Chapter XLVIII: Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of this Life
Chapter XLIX: Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and how Great Blessings are promised to those who strive
Chapter L: How a Desolate Man ought to commit Himself into the Hands of God
Chapter LI: That we must give Ourselves to Humble Works when we are unequal to those that are Lofty
Chapter LII: That a Man ought not to reckon Himself worthy of Consolation, but more worthy of Chastisement
Chapter LIII: That the Grace of God does not join itself to those who mind Earthly Things
Chapter LIV: Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
Chapter LV: Of the Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace
Chapter LVI: That we ought to deny Ourselves, and to imitate Christ by Means of the Cross
Chapter LVII: That a Man must not be too much Cast Down when he falleth into some Fault
Chapter LVIII: Of Deeper Matters, and God’s Hidden Judgments which are not to be Inquired into
Chapter LIX: That all Hope and Trust is to be Fixed in God alone
The Fourth Book
A Devout Exhortation to the Holy Communion
Chapter I: With how Great Reverence Christ must be Received
Chapter II: That the Greatness and Charity of God is shown to Men in the Sacrament
Chapter III: That it is Profitable to Communicate often
Chapter IV: That many Good Gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly
Chapter V: Of the Dignity of this Sacrament, and of the Office of the Priest
Chapter VI: An Inquiry concerning Preparation for Communion
Chapter VII: On the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
Chapter VIII: Of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self
Chapter IX: That we ought to offer Ourselves and all that is Ours to God, and to Pray for all
Chapter X: That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
Chapter XI: That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to a Faithful Soul