Of Fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride

Name: Of Fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride
Author: Thomas à Kempis

The work emphasizes the futility of placing trust in worldly things and the importance of humility and reliance on divine grace. It critiques the reliance on human strength, intellect, and material wealth, asserting that true security and hope should be anchored in God. The text encourages the reader to embrace servitude and poverty in spirit, aligning oneself with the teachings of Jesus Christ. It warns against pride and self-importance, highlighting that earthly attributes such as beauty, strength, and skill are transient and can lead to spiritual downfall. The author stresses that boasting in one's achievements or possessions is misguided, as all good gifts originate from God. Instead, one should cultivate a mindset of humility, recognizing that others may possess greater virtues. The narrative contrasts human judgment with divine judgment, suggesting that what is esteemed by people may not align with God's will. The text advocates for a self-effacing attitude, where one considers themselves lesser than others to maintain peace and avoid the turmoil associated with pride. Ultimately, the work serves as a guide to spiritual growth, urging the reader to seek a deeper relationship with God through humility and service, rather than through the pursuit of vain hopes and prideful aspirations.

By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1940 · Genre: Religious/Spiritual, Philosophical, Devotional · 323 words

First lines

Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any created thing. Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life. Rest not upon thyself, but build thy hope in God. Do what lieth in thy power, and God will help thy good intent. Trust not in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

What this Textopian page supports

Of Fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas à Kempis, dated 1940 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Thomas à Kempis
Date: 1940 CE
Language: English
Genres: Religious/Spiritual, Philosophical, Devotional, Self-help, Literary Non-fiction
Length: 323 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Religious/Spiritual — The text focuses on themes of humility, trust in God, and the rejection of pride, which are central to religious and spiritual literature.
Philosophical — The work explores deep philosophical questions about human nature, pride, and the essence of true worth, aligning it with philosophical discourse.
Devotional — The text serves as a guide for personal reflection and devotion, encouraging readers to cultivate humility and reliance on God.
Self-help — The themes of self-improvement and the pursuit of humility provide practical advice for personal growth, fitting within the self-help genre.