Quotes about Character
If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom.
— Thomas a Kempis
Who has a more fierce struggle than the person who strives to master himself? And this must be our occupation: to strive to master ourselves and daily to grow stronger and to advance from good to better. All
— Thomas a Kempis
This ought to be our endeavor: to conquer ourselves and daily to grow stronger against ourselves, and to grow in holiness.
— Thomas a Kempis
You do not grow in holiness because of the praise you receive, nor do you become evil because of the blame poured upon you.
— Thomas a Kempis
We shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.
— Thomas a Kempis
Unhappily we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others, rather than good.
— Thomas a Kempis
To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself.
— Thomas a Kempis
For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which maketh a man dear to God.
— Thomas a Kempis
is truly great who deemeth himself small, and counteth all height of honour as nothing.
— Thomas a Kempis
What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity?
— Thomas a Kempis
HE that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 1 saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ.
— Thomas a Kempis
If thou hast any good, believe that others have more, and so thou mayest preserve thy humility. It is no harm to thee if thou place thyself below all others; but it is great harm if thou place thyself above even one. Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath.
— Thomas a Kempis