A Life Answerable to Their Learning

All perfection in this life hath some imperfection mixed with it; and, no knowledge of ours is without some darkness. A humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning. Yet learning and knowledge are not to be blamed, for that is good, and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life are always to be preferred. But because many endeavor to get knowledge rather than to live well, they are often deceived, and reap but little or no fruit.

O, if men bestowed as much labor in the rooting out of vices, and the planting of virtues, as they do in moving questions, neither would there be so many evils, nor so great scandals, in the world. Truly, at the day of judgment we shall not be examined as to what we have read, but as to what we have done; not as to how well we have spoken, but as to how religiously we have lived.

Tell me, where are all those Doctors and Masters, with whom thou wast well acquainted, whilst they lived and flourished in learning? Now others occupy their places and perhaps do scarce ever think of those who went before them. In their lifetime, they seemed something, but now they are not spoken of.

O, how quickly doth the glory of the world pass away! O that their life had been answerable to their learning! Then had their study and reading been to good purpose.

How many perish by reason of vain learning, who take little care to serve God. And because they rather choose to be great than humble, they become vain in their imaginations.

He is truly great who is great in charity. He is truly great that is little in himself, and that maketh no account of any height of honor. He is truly wise, that accounteth all earthly things as dung, that he may gain Christ. And he is truly learned, that doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.

-- Thomas à Kempis (1380 – 1471), The Imitation of Christ, Book 1 Chapter 3 "On the Doctrine of Truth"

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Old, yet ever new, is the precious volume here placed in the hands of the reader. Pious souls, for well-nigh five hundred years, have found in these pages inspiration, comfort and encouragement. Men of every Christian denomination have turned from the turmoil and discord of the world's arenas to find sweetness and peace in the atmosphere of this volume. Souls in darkness and in the shadow of death, have derived from it fortitude and new hope. As the very medicine of the soul, it has imparted life and new vigor to the weary and the heavy- laden. The poor dumb spirit, restive under the restrictions of inadequate utterance, hears in its glowing words, its own emotions and aspirations expressed in terms that satisfy its needs. Like the Psalms of David, the Imitation seems to find a brotherhood of feeling in every devout soul.

-- (Preface to 1906 version)