How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.
Thomas A KempisRead
He has great tranquillity of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are; neither by word can you be made greater than what you are in the sight of God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True inner peace comes from detachment from external validation and a clear conscience.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and inner peace over the opinions of others. It suggests that a person who is not influenced by praise or criticism can find true contentment, as their value is not determined by others but by their own integrity and conscience.
Themes
Inner PeaceConscienceSelf-WorthDetachmentContentment
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about self-acceptance and authenticity.
More from Thomas A Kempis
All quotes βHe will easily be content and at peace, whose conscience is pure.
Thomas A KempisRead
Trust not to your feelings for whatever they might be now, they will quickly be changed towards some other thing.
Thomas A KempisRead
Jesus has many who love the kingdom of God, but few who bear a cross. He has many who desire His comfort, but few who desire His suffering. All want to rejoice with him, but few are willing to suffer for Him. He writes; there are many who admire his miracles, but there are few who follow in the humiliation of the cross.
Thomas A KempisRead
Anyone who thinks hard work will never hurt you has never had to pay to have it done. Jesus now has many lovers of his Heavenly Kingdom, but few bearers of his cross.
Thomas A KempisRead
For nothing, how little soever, that is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.
Thomas A KempisRead
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