Of having a humble opinion of oneself
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book I It is vanity to follow the lusts of the flesh and to desire that which hereafter will bring grievous punishment.
It is vanity to wish for a long life and care little about a good life.
It is vanity to attend only to the present life, and not to look ahead to the future life.
It is vanity to love what quickly passes away, and not to be hastening thither where abides everiasting joy.
5. Often call to mind the proverb:
The eye is not sated with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing.''
Study therefore to wean your heart from the love of visible things, and to attend rather to things invisible. For the man who indulges his sensual nature, sullies his conscience and loses the grace of God.
CHAPTER 2
OF HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF ONESELF
Every man naturally desires to know;* but what is the good of knowledge without the fear of God?
In fact, a poor peasant that serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects himself and ponders the courses of the stars.
He that knows himself well, becomes vile in his own eyes, and takes no delight in the praises of men.
If I knew everything in the world, yet had not charity," what would it profit me in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my works?
2. Cease from the overweening desire of knowledge; because many distractions are found therein, and much delusion.
Learned men are very willing to seem wise, and to be called so.
Many are the items of knowledge which are of little or no good for the soul.
And he is very unwise who sets his mind on any other things than those which serve his salvation.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life gives ease to the mind, and a pure conscience affords great confidence before God.
3. The more you know and the better, so much the harder i76id., i, 8.
2 Aristotle, Metaphysics i, 1.
8 1 Corinthians xiii, 2.