The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis

Introductory Note

THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

1. Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities
2. Of thinking humbly of oneself
3. Of the knowledge of truth
4. Of prudence in action
5. Of the reading of Holy Scriptures
6. Of inordinate affections
7. Of fleeing from vain hope and pride
8. Of the danger of too much familiarity
9. Of obedience and subjection
10. Of the danger of superfluity of words
11. Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress
12. Of the uses of adversity
13. Of resisting temptation
14. On avoiding rash judgment
15. Of works of charity
16. Of bearing with the faults of others
17. Of a religious life
18. Of the example of the Holy Fathers
19. Of the exercises of a religious man
20. Of the love of solitude and silence
21. Of compunction of heart
22. On the contemplation of human misery
23. Of meditation upon death
24. Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked
25. Of the zealous amendment of our whole life

THE SECOND BOOK. ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE

1. Of the inward life
2. Of lowly submission
3. Of the good, peaceable man
4. Of a pure mind and simple intention
5. Of self-esteem
6. Of the joy of a good conscience
7. Of loving Jesus above all things
8. Of the intimate love of Jesus
9. Of the lack of all comfort
10. Of gratitude for the Grace of God
11. Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus
12. Of the royal way of the Holy Cross

THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION

1. Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul
2. What the truth saith inwardly without noise of words
3. How all the words of God are to be heard with humility, and how many consider them not
4. How we must walk in truth and humility before God
5. Of the wonderful power of the Divine Love
6. Of the proving of the true lover
7. Of hiding our grace under the guard of humility
8. Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God
9. That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end
10. That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God
11. That the desires of the heart are to be examined and governed
12. Of the inward growth of patience, and of the struggle against evil desires
13. Of the obedience of one in lowly subjection after the example of Jesus Christ
14. Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because of our well-doing
15. How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire
16. That true solace is to be sought in God alone
17. That all care is to be cast upon God
18. That temporal miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ
19. Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient
20. Of confession of our infirmity and of the miseries of this life
21. That we must rest in God above all goods and gifts
22. Of the recollection of God’s manifold benefits
23. Of four things which bring great peace
24. Of avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another
25. Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist
26. Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading
27. That personal love greatly hindereth from the highest good
28. Against the tongues of detractors
29. How when tribulation cometh we must call upon and bless God
30. Of seeking divine help, and the confidence of obtaining grace
31. Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found
32. Of self-denial and the casting away all selfishness
33. Of instability of the heart, and of directing the aim towards God
34. That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things
35. That there is no security against temptation in this life
36. Against vain judgments of men
37. Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart
38. Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in dangers
39. That man must not be immersed in business
40. That man hath no good in himself, and nothing whereof to glory
41. Of contempt of all temporal honour
42. That our peace is not to be placed in men
43. Against vain and worldly knowledge
44. Of not troubling ourselves about outward things
45. That we must not believe everyone, and that we are prone to fall in our words
46. Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us
47. That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life
48. Of the day of eternity and of the straitnesses of this life
49. Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those who strive
50. How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God
51. That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty
52. That a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation, but more worthy of chastisement
53. That the Grace of God doth not join itself to those who mind earthly things
54. Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace
55. Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace
56. That we ought to deny ourselves, and to imitate Christ by means of the Cross
57. That a man must not be too much cast down when he falleth into some faults
58. Of deeper matters, and God’s hidden judgments which are not to be inquired into
59. That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone

THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR

1. With how great reverence Christ must be received
2. That the greatness and charity of God is shown to men in the Sacrament
3. That it is profitable to Communicate often
4. That many good gifts are bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly
5. Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest
6. An inquiry concerning preparation for Communion
7. Of the examination of conscience, and purpose of amendment
8. Of the oblation of Christ upon the cross, and of resignation of self
9. That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and to pray for all
10. That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
11. That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are most necessary to a faithful soul
12. That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence
13. That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament
14. Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
15. That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial
16. That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to require His Grace
17. Of fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ
18. That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith