Thomas a Kempis: Imitatio Christi

On vanity

It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches

that shall perish. It is vanity, too, to covet honours, and to

lift up ourselves on high. It is vanity to follow the desires of

the flesh and be led by them, for this shall bring misery at the

last. It is vanity to desire a long life, and to have little

care for a good life. It is vanity to take thought only for the

life which now is, and not to look forward to the things which

shall be hereafter. It is vanity to love that which quickly

passeth away, and not to hasten where eternal joy abideth.

(Thomas a Kempis: Imitatio Christi, Book 1, chapter I)

Thomas a Kempis (Thomas van Kempen)

ca. 1380 – july 25, 1471

kemp=mag poetry magazine

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