That our Peace is not to be Placed in Men
The work emphasizes the importance of placing one's peace and trust not in human relationships but in a higher, divine truth. It warns against the instability that arises from relying on the opinions and presence of others, suggesting that true peace comes from a deep connection with the eternal and unchanging. The text advocates for a love that transcends earthly attachments, asserting that genuine friendship and affection should be rooted in a love for the divine. The author argues that without a foundation in God, human relationships lack true strength and endurance. The closer one draws to God, the more one distances oneself from worldly comforts and dependencies. This spiritual journey involves a profound self-reflection, where one recognizes their own shortcomings and unworthiness, leading to a greater elevation towards the divine. Humility is presented as essential for receiving divine grace. The text posits that self-importance and pride obstruct the flow of grace, while a heart emptied of creaturely attachments opens one to divine abundance. The work encourages the reader to conquer personal desires and attachments for the sake of a deeper relationship with the Creator, suggesting that even minor attachments can hinder spiritual progress if they are loved excessively. Ultimately, the message is a call to prioritize spiritual over earthly connections, advocating for a life centered on divine truth and humility, which leads to true peace and fulfillment.
By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1940 · Genre: Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology · 329 words
First lines
"My Son, if thou set thy peace on any person because thou hast high opinion of him, and art familiar with him, thou shalt be unstable and entangled. But if thou betake thyself to the ever-living and abiding Truth, the desertion or death of a friend shall not make thee sad. In Me ought the love of thy friend to subsist, and for My sake is everyone to be loved, whosoever he be, who appeareth to thee good, and is very dear to thee in this life. Without Me friendship hath no strength or endurance, neither is that love true and pure, which I unite not. Thou oughtest to be so dead to such affections of beloved friends, that as far as in thee lieth, thou wouldst rather choose to be without any companionship of men. The nearer a man approacheth to God, the further he recedeth from all earthly solace. The deeper also he descendeth into himself, and the viler he appeareth in his own eyes, the higher he ascendeth towards God.
What this Textopian page supports
That our Peace is not to be Placed in Men 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: Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology, Devotional Literature, Non-fiction
- Length: 329 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Of Hiding Our Grace Under The Guard Of Humility by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Fleeing From Vain Hope And Pride by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Not Troubling Ourselves About Outward Things by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Lowly Submission by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of The Lack Of All Comfort by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Works Of Charity by Thomas A. Kempis
Genres
- Spirituality — The text focuses on the relationship between individuals and God, emphasizing the importance of divine over human connections.
- Philosophy — It explores themes of self-reflection, humility, and the nature of true love and friendship.
- Theology — The work discusses concepts of grace, divine knowledge, and the nature of God in relation to human relationships.
- Devotional Literature — It serves as a guide for personal spiritual growth and devotion to God.
Tags
Christianity · Spirituality · Meditations · Devotional · Philosophy · Theology · Faith · Hope · Love · Patience · Humility · Self-reflection
More by Thomas à Kempis
- Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all its Vanities (1441)
- Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself (1441)
- Of the Knowledge of Truth (1441)
- Of Prudence in Action (1518)
- Of the Reading of Holy Scripture (1441)
- Of Inordinate Affections (1441)
- Of Fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride (1940)
- Of the Danger of too Much Familiarity (1904)
- All works by Thomas à Kempis