Of Self-Esteem by Thomas à Kempis

Name: Of Self-Esteem
Author: Thomas à Kempis

The work emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and humility in the pursuit of spiritual growth. It argues that individuals often overestimate their own worth and fail to recognize their shortcomings. The text highlights the tendency to judge others harshly while overlooking one's own faults, suggesting that true understanding comes from introspection rather than external criticism. A spiritually-minded individual prioritizes self-care and self-examination over concern for others' actions. This focus on personal accountability fosters a sense of peace and unity with God. The narrative encourages readers to detach from worldly distractions and material concerns, asserting that true fulfillment is found solely in the divine. The text warns against the dangers of pride and self-reliance, advocating for a reliance on God's grace and wisdom. It posits that genuine progress in spiritual life requires a commitment to inner reflection and a rejection of superficial comforts derived from the material world. The ultimate message is that true joy and solace are found in a deep relationship with God, rather than in transient earthly pleasures.

By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1441 · Genre: Spirituality, Philosophy, Religious · 360 words

First lines

We cannot place too little confidence in ourselves, because grace and understanding are often lacking to us. Little light is there within us, and what we have we quickly lose by negligence. Oftentimes we perceive not how great is our inward blindness. We often do ill and excuse it worse. Sometimes we are moved by passion and count it zeal; we blame little faults in others and pass over great faults in ourselves. Quickly enough we feel and reckon up what we bear at the hands of others, but we reflect not how much others are bearing from us. He who would weigh well and rightly his own doings would not be the man to judge severely of another.

What this Textopian page supports

Of Self-Esteem is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas à Kempis, dated 1441 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Thomas à Kempis
Date: 1441 CE
Language: English
Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Religious, Self-help, Literary
Length: 360 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Spirituality — The text focuses on self-reflection, the relationship with God, and the importance of spiritual growth.
Philosophy — It explores themes of self-awareness, morality, and the nature of human faults and virtues.
Religious — The work emphasizes religious devotion and the pursuit of a godly life.
Self-help — It provides guidance on personal development and self-improvement through introspection.