That Personal Love Greatly Hindereth from the Hi
The work emphasizes the necessity of relinquishing personal desires and attachments to achieve spiritual fulfillment. It begins with a call to abandon self-love, which is portrayed as detrimental to one's spiritual journey. The text argues that true freedom and peace come from a pure and well-regulated love, directed towards the divine rather than worldly possessions or honors. The author stresses that seeking personal gain leads to anxiety and dissatisfaction, as external circumstances will always present challenges. Instead, the focus should be on cultivating a heart aligned with divine will, which brings true contentment. The text advocates for a radical detachment from material desires, asserting that true advantage lies in despising worldly things rather than accumulating them. A significant theme is the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits, which are described as vanity. The work encourages readers to seek inner peace through devotion to God, rather than through external validation or material success. It highlights the importance of maintaining a heart anchored in divine love, which provides stability amidst life's uncertainties. The text also includes a prayer for divine assistance in achieving a cleansed heart and heavenly wisdom. The prayer seeks strength to overcome distractions and desires, urging the individual to prioritize the pursuit of God above all else. It calls for discernment to avoid flattery and to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, recognizing that true wisdom lies in understanding the transient nature of worldly affairs. Overall, the work serves as a guide for spiritual growth, advocating for a life centered on divine love and wisdom, free from the burdens of self-centered desires. It presents a path to inner peace through surrendering personal ambitions and embracing a higher purpose.
By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1654 · Genre: Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology · 592 words
First lines
"My Son, thou must give all for all, and be nothing of thine own. Know thou that the love of thyself is more hurtful to thee than anything in the world. According to the love and inclination which thou hast, everything more or less cleaveth to thee. If thy love be pure, sincere, well-regulated, thou shalt not be in captivity to anything. Do not covet what thou mayest not have; do not have what is able to hinder thee, and to rob thee of inward liberty. It is wonderful that thou committest not thyself to Me from the very bottom of thy heart, with all things which thou canst desire or have.
What this Textopian page supports
That Personal Love Greatly Hindereth from the Highest Good is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas à Kempis, dated 1654 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: 1654 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology, Devotional Literature, Mysticism
- Length: 592 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for That Personal Love Greatly Hindereth from the Highest Good by Thomas à Kempis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering That Personal Love Greatly Hindereth from the Highest Good?
- How does this essay by Thomas à Kempis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Spirituality first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Of Thinking Humbly Of Oneself by Thomas A. Kempis
- That Many Good Gifts Are Bestowed Upon Those Who Communicate Devoutly by Thomas A. Kempis
- That There Is No Security Against Temptation In This Life by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Self Esteem by Thomas A. Kempis
- Against Vain Judgments Of Men by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of The Good Peaceable Man by Thomas A. Kempis
Genres
- Spirituality — The text focuses on the inner spiritual journey and the relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of self-denial and devotion.
- Philosophy — It explores themes of self-love, desire, and the nature of true happiness, reflecting philosophical inquiries into human existence.
- Theology — The work discusses divine wisdom and the pursuit of a relationship with God, making it relevant to theological studies.
- Devotional Literature — It serves as a guide for personal reflection and prayer, aimed at fostering a deeper spiritual life.
Tags
Christianity · Spirituality · Philosophy · Meditations · Self-Improvement · Personal Growth · Faith · Devotion · Love · Goodness · Wisdom · Morality
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