Forethought in action; Read the Holy Scriptures

We ought not to believe every saying or suggestion but ought warily and patiently to ponder the matter with reference to God. But alas, such is our weakness, that we often believe and speak evil of others rather than good! Good men do not easily give credit to every tale; for they know that human infirmity is prone to evil (Gen. 8:21) , and very subject to offend in words (James 3:2) .

It is great wisdom not to stand obstinately in your own conceits. It belongs also to this same wisdom not to believe everything you hear, or to pour into the ears of others (Prov. 17:9) what you have heard of believed. Consult with a man who is wise and conscientious and seek to be instructed by one better than yourself, rather than to follow your own inventions (Prov. 12:15) .

A good life makes a man wise according to God (Prov. 15:33) , and gives him experience in many things (Eccles. 1:16) . The humbler a man is in himself, and the more resigned to God, the more prudent will he be in all things, and the more at peace.

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Truth is to be sought for in the Holy Scriptures, not eloquence. Holy Scripture ought to be read with the same spirit wherewith it was written (Rom. 15:4) . We should rather search after profit in the Scriptures than subtilty of speech.

We ought to read devout and simple books as willingly as the high and profound. Let not the authority of the writer offend you, whether he be of great or small learning; but let the love of pure truth draw you to read (1 Cor. 2:4) . Search not who spoke this or that, but mark what is spoken. Men pass away, but "the truth of the Lord endureth forever" (Ps. 117:2) . God speaks to us in sundry ways, without respect to persons (Rom. 2:11; 10:12) .

Our own curiousity often hinders us in the reading of the Scriptures, when we desire to understand and discuss that which we should instead pass over. If you desire to reap profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faithfulness; nor ever desire the reputation of learning. Inqiure willingly, and hear with silence the words of holy men. Let not the teachings of the elders displease you, for they are not recounted without cause (Eccles. 12:9) .

- Thomas of Kempis