Of a pure mind and a simple intention
OF THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Book II for this is naturally pleasing to all men. Every one prefers peace, and loves those best that agree with him.
But to be able to hve peacefully with the difficult and the perverse, or with the undisciplined and those that contradict us, this is a great grace, and a thing highly commendable and manly.
3. Some there are who keep themselves in peace, and have peace also with others. And there are some who neither have peace themselves, nor leave others in peace; they are troublesome to others, and still more troublesome to themselves.
And there are those who keep themselves in peace, and study to bring others to peace.
Nevertheless, all our peace in this wretched life must be placed rather in humble endurance than in the absence of contradiction.
He who best knows how to suffer will possess the greater peace.
Such a one is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ and heir of heaven.
CHAPTER 4
OF A PURE MIND AND A SIMPLE INTENTION
By two wings is a man lifted above earthly things, namely, by simplicity and purity.
Simplicity must be in the intention, purity in the affection.
Simplicity aims at God, purity apprehends Him and tastes Him.
No good work will be a hindrance to you, if you be inwardly free from inordinate affection.
If you aim at and seek nothing else but the wiU of God and your neighbour's benefit, then shaU you enjoy inward liberty.
If only your heart were right, then every created thing would be to you a mirror of Ufe and a book of holy teaching.
There is no creature so little and so vile as not to manifest the goodness of God.
If you were inwardly good and pure, then would you discern all things without impediment, and comprehend them aright. A pure heart penetrates heaven and heU.
According as every one is inwardly, so does he judge outwardly.
If there be joy in the world, truly the man of pure heart possesses it.
And if there be anywhere tribulation and distress, an evil conscience does the more readily experience it.