Thomas a Kempis: On avoiding rash judgement

Thomas a Kempis

On avoiding rash judgment

Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings

of others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often

erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining

himself he always laboureth to good purpose. According as a

matter toucheth our fancy, so oftentimes do we judge of it; for

easily do we fail of true judgment because of our own personal

feeling. If God were always the sole object of our desire, we

should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment of our

fancy.

 

But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some

outward circumstance, turneth us aside. Many are secretly

seeking their own ends in what they do, yet know it not. They

seem to live in good peace of mind so long as things go well with

them, and according to their desires, but if their desires be

frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and

displeased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings

about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between

religious and godly men.

Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man is

very easily led to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest

more upon thy own reason or experience than upon the power of

Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and hardly; for God

willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and all our

reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him.

 

Thomas a Kempis (ca. 1380-1471)

Imitatio Christi

Chapter XIV – Book 1

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