Table of Contents

Thomas A Kempis

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

CHAPTER I. Of the imitation of Christ, and of co…

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 Scriptures

CHAPTER VI. Of inordinate affections

CHAPTER VII. Of fleeing from vain hope and pride

CHAPTER VIII. Of the danger of too much familiar…

CHAPTER IX. Of obedience and subjection

CHAPTER X. Of the danger of superfluity of words

CHAPTER XI. Of seeking peace of mind and of spir…

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 other…

CHAPTER XVII. Of a religious life

CHAPTER XVIII. Of the example of the Holy Father…

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. On the contemplation of human mise…

CHAPTER XXIII. Of meditation upon death

CHAPTER XXIV. Of the judgment and punishment of …

CHAPTER XXV. Of the zealous amendment of our who…

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…

CHAPTER XII. Of the royal way of the Holy Cross

CHAPTER I. Of the inward voice of Christ to the …

CHAPTER II. What the truth saith inwardly withou…

CHAPTER III. How all the words of God are to be …

CHAPTER IV. How we must walk in truth and humili…

CHAPTER V. Of the wonderful power of the Divine …

CHAPTER VI. Of the proving of the true lover

CHAPTER VII. Of hiding our grace under the guard…

CHAPTER VIII. Of a low estimation of self in the…

CHAPTER IX. That all things are to be referred t…

CHAPTER X. That it is sweet to despise the world…

CHAPTER XI. That the desires of the heart are to…

CHAPTER XII. Of the inward growth of patience, a…

CHAPTER XIII. Of the obedience of one in lowly s…

CHAPTER XIV. Of meditation upon the hidden judgm…

CHAPTER XV. How we must stand and speak, in ever…

CHAPTER XVI. That true solace is to be sought in…

CHAPTER XVII. That all care is to be cast upon G…

CHAPTER XVIII. That temporal miseries are to be …

CHAPTER XIX. Of bearing injuries, and who shall …

CHAPTER XX. Of confession of our infirmity and o…

CHAPTER XXI. That we must rest in God above all …

CHAPTER XXII. Of the recollection of God's manif…

CHAPTER XXIII. Of four things which bring great …

CHAPTER XXIV. Of avoiding of curious inquiry int…

CHAPTER XXV. Wherein firm peace of heart and tru…

CHAPTER XXVI. Of the exaltation of a free spirit…

CHAPTER XXVII. That personal love greatly hinder…

CHAPTER XXVIII. Against the tongues of detractor…

CHAPTER XXIX. How when tribulation cometh we mus…

CHAPTER XXX. Of seeking divine help, and the con…

CHAPTER XXXI. Of the neglect of every creature, …

CHAPTER XXXII. Of self-denial and the casting aw…

CHAPTER XXXIII. Of instability of the heart, and…

CHAPTER XXXIV. That to him who loveth God is swe…

CHAPTER XXXV. That there is no security against …

CHAPTER XXXVI. Against vain judgments of men

CHAPTER XXXVII. Of pure and entire resignation o…

CHAPTER XXXVIII. Of a good government in externa…

CHAPTER XXXIX. That man must not be immersed in …

CHAPTER XL. That man hath no good in himself, an…

CHAPTER XLI. Of contempt of all temporal honour

CHAPTER XLII. That our peace is not to be placed…

CHAPTER XLIII. Against vain and worldly knowledg…

CHAPTER XLIV. Of not troubling ourselves about o…

CHAPTER XLV. That we must not believe everyone, …

CHAPTER XLVI. Of having confidence in God when e…

CHAPTER XLVII. That all troubles are to be endur…

CHAPTER XLVIII. Of the day of eternity and of th…

CHAPTER XLIX. Of the desire after eternal life, …

CHAPTER L. How a desolate man ought to commit hi…

CHAPTER LI. That we must give ourselves to humbl…

CHAPTER LII. That a man ought not to reckon hims…

CHAPTER LIII. That the Grace of God doth not joi…

CHAPTER LIV. Of the diverse motions of Nature an…

CHAPTER LV. Of the corruption of Nature and the …

CHAPTER LVI. That we ought to deny ourselves, an…

CHAPTER LVII. That a man must not be too much ca…

CHAPTER LVIII. Of deeper matters, and God's hidd…

CHAPTER LIX. That all hope and trust is to be fi…

CHAPTER I. With how great reverence Christ must …

CHAPTER II. That the greatness and charity of Go…

CHAPTER III. That it is profitable to Communicat…

CHAPTER IV. That many good gifts are bestowed up…

CHAPTER V. Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and…

CHAPTER VI. An inquiry concerning preparation fo…

CHAPTER VII. Of the examination of conscience, a…

CHAPTER VIII. Of the oblation of Christ upon the…

CHAPTER IX. That we ought to offer ourselves and…

CHAPTER X. That Holy Communion is not lightly to…

CHAPTER XI. That the Body and Blood of Christ an…

CHAPTER XII. That he who is about to Communicate…

CHAPTER XIII. That the devout soul ought with th…

CHAPTER XIV. Of the fervent desire of certain de…

CHAPTER XV. That the grace of devotion is acquir…

CHAPTER XVI. That we ought to lay open our neces…

CHAPTER XVII. Of fervent love and vehement desir…

CHAPTER XVIII. That a man should not be a curiou…