Of the doctrine of truth
Chapter
true wisdom
will your judgement be, unless your life also has been more holy.
Be not then conceited for any skill or learning that you have; but rather be afraid for the knowledge that is given you.
If it seems to you that you know many things, and understand them well enough; yet recognise that there are many more things of which you are ignorant.
Be not high-minded,^ but rather acknowledge your ignorance.
Why should you prefer yourself to another, when many may be found who are more learned than you and better skilled in the law?
If you desire a profitable sort of knowledge and learning, love to be unknown and to be esteemed as nothing.
4. This is the highest and most profitable lesson: truly to know and despise ourselves.
To think nothing of ourselves, and always to judge well and highly of others: this is great wisdom and perfection.
If you should see another openly do wrong, or commit some grievous sins, you ought not to think yourself better; for you know not how long you can persevere in well-doing.
We are all frail; but you shall deem none more frail than yourself.
CHAPTER 3
OF THE DOCTRINE OF TRUTH
Happy is the man whom truth teaches by itself, not by figures and passing words, but as it is in itself.
Our own way of thinking and our perception often deceive us, and they see but little.
What is the good of reasoning and disputing about dark and hidden things, when we shall not be censured at the Judgement for not knowing them?
Supreme folly! We neglect the things that are useful and necessary, and we willingly give our attention to those that are curious and mischievous. Having eyes we see not.''
2. And what have we to do with qualities and quiddities?
If a man listens to the Eternal Word, he is delivered from a multitude of opinions.
From the one Word are all things, and all things speak of this One; and this is the Beginning, which also speaks to us.^ 1 Romans xi, 20.
2 Psalm xciii, 5; Mark viii, 18.
•John viii, 25.
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book I Without Him no man understands or judges rightly.
The man to whom all things are one, who refers all things to one, and sees all things in one: he can be steadfast in heart and abide peacefully in God. my God and my Truth 1 make me one with Thee in everlasting charity.
1 am often wearied with reading and hearing many things; in Thee is all I wish or desire.
Let all teachers hold their peace, and all created things keep silence in Thy presence; do Thou alone speak to me.
3. The more a man is united within himself and inwardly simple, so much the more and deeper things does he understand without labour; for he receives the hght of understanding from on high.
A man of pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by the multitude of things he has to do; for he does all for the honour of God, and strives to keep himself inwardly free from aU self-seeking.
Who does more hinder and trouble you than your own heart's unmortified affection?
A good and devout man first arranges inwardly the works he has to perform outwardly. Nor do those works draw him to indulge the desires of his lower nature; on the contrary, he constrains them to obey the dictates of right reason.
Who has a harder struggle than the man that strives to overcome himself?
But this ought to be our chief business, namely, to overcome self, and by daily gaining more mastery over self to grow better and better.
All perfection in this life is attended by some imperfection, and no speculation of ours is without a certain obscurity.
The humble knowledge of oneself is a surer way to God than profound learning.
Yet learning or any simple knowledge is not to be censured, because it is good in itself and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life are always to be preferred.
But because many take more pains to know much than to live well, therefore they often go astray, and bear no fruit at all, or but httle.
5. O if men would be as diligent in the rooting out of vices and engrafting of virtues as they are in mooting questions, there would not be so many evils and scandals among the people, nor such laxity in monasteries!
Truly, when the Day of Judgement comes, we shall not be