Nature and Grace

13. Nature doth all for her own gain and
interest; she can do nothing gratis, but hopes to
gain something equal, or better, or praise, or
favor for her good deeds; and covets to have
her actions and gifts much valued:
  But grace seeks nothing temporal, nor requires
any other recompense but God alone for
her reward, nor desires anything more of the
necessaries of this life than may be serviceable
in attaining a happy eternity.

14. Nature rejoices in a multitude of friends
and kindred; she glories in the nobility of her
stock and descent; she fawns on them that are
in power, flatters the rich, and applauds such
as are like herself:
  But grace loves even her enemies, and is not
puffed up with having  a great many friends, nor
esteems family or birth, unless when joined
with greater virtue.
  She rather favors the poor than the rich; she
has more compassion for the innocent than the
powerful; she rejoices with him that loves the
truth, and not with the deceitful.
  She never exhorts the good to be zealous for
better gifts, and to become like unto the Son of
God by the exercise of virtues.
My Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis (Chpt 54 13:14)