Contempt of all the vanities of the world.

He that followeth Me, shall not walk in the darkness" (John 8:12) , saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished how we ought to imitate His life and manners, if we would be enlightened and delivered from all blindness of heart. Let therefore our chief endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.

The doctrine of Christ exceeds all the doctrines of holy men; and he who has the Spirit will find therin "the hidden manna" (Rev. 2:17) . But many who often hear the Gospel of Christ have little desire for it, because they "have not the Spirit of Christ" (Rom. 8:9) . But whosoever will fully and with relish understand the words of Christ must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ.

What does it avail to discourse profoundly of the Trinity if you are void of humility and are thereby displeasing to the Trinity? Surely profound words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuous life makes him dear to God. I would rather feel contrition than know the definition thereof. If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would all that profit you without love (1 Cor. 13:2) ?

"Vanity of vanities . . . all is vanity" (Eccles. 1:2) , except to love God and serve Him only. This is the highest wisdom, by the contempt of the world to press forward toward the heavenly kingdoms.

Therefore it is vanity to seek after perishing riches and trust in them. Also it is vanity to hunt after honors and to climb to high degree. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh, and to long after that which you must afterward suffer grievous punishment. It is vanity to wish to live long, and to be careless to live well. It is vanity to mind only the present life, and not to see forsee those things which are to come. It is vanity to set your love on that which is speedily passes away, and not to hasten to there everlasting joy abides.

Call often to mind that proverb: "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing (Eccles. 1:8) . Endeavor therefore to withdraw your heart from the love of visible things, and to turn your self to things invisible. For they that follow their own sensuality defile their consciences, and lose the grace of God.

- Thomas of Kempis