17. Nature covets to know secrets, and to hear news; is willing to appear abroad, and to heave experience of many things by the senses; desires to be taken notice of, and to do such things as may procure praise and admiration.
But grace cares not for the hearing of new and curious things, because all this springs from the old corruption, since nothing is new or lasting upon earth.
She teaches, therefore, to restrain the senses, to avoid vain complacency and ostentation, humbly to hide those things which are worthy of praise and admiration; and from everything, and in every knowledge, to seek the fruit of spiritual profit, and the praise and honor of God.
She desires not to have herself or what belongs to her extolled; but wishes that God may be blessed in His gifts, who bestows all through mere love.
My Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis
No comments:
Post a Comment