the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第1节
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
THE IMITATION OF
CHRIST
by Thomas a Kempis
Translated by Rev。 William Benham
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The treatise 〃Of the Imitation of Christ〃 appears to have been
originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century。 Its exact date
and its authorship are still a matter of debate。 Manuscripts of the Latin
version survive in considerable numbers all over Western Europe； and they；
with the vast list of translations and of printed editions； testify to its almost
unparalleled popularity。 One scribe attributes it to St。 Bernard of
Clairvaux； but the fact that is contains a quotation from St。 Francis of
Assisi； who was born thirty years after the death of St。 Bernard； disposes
of this theory。 In England there exist many manuscripts of the first three
books； called 〃Musica Ecclesiastica；〃 frequently ascribed to the English
mystic Walter Hilton。 But Hilton seems to have died in 1395； and there
is no evidence of the existence of the work before 1400。 Many
manuscripts scattered throughout Europe ascribe the book to Jean le
Charlier de Gerson； the great Chancellor of the University of Paris； who
was a leading figure in the Church in the earlier part of the fifteenth
century。 The most probable author； however； especially when the
internal evidence is considered； is Thomas Haemmerlein； known also as
Thomas a Kempis； from his native town of Kempen； near the Rhine； about
forty miles north of Cologne。 Haemmerlein； who was born in 1379 or
1380； was a member of the order of the Brothers of Common Life； and
spent the last seventy years of his life at Mount St。 Agnes； a monastery of
Augustinian canons in the diocese of Utrecht。 Here he died on July 26；
1471； after an uneventful life spent in copying manuscripts； reading； and
composing； and in the peaceful routine of monastic piety。
With the exception of the Bible； no Christian writing has had so wide a
vogue or so sustained a popularity as this。 And yet； in one sense； it is
hardly an original work at all。 Its structure it owes largely to the writings
of the medieval mystics； and its ideas and phrases are a mosaic from the
Bible and the Fathers of the early Church。 But these elements are
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
interwoven with such delicate skill and a religious feeling at once so
ardent and so sound that it promises to remain； what it has been for five
hundred years； the supreme call and guide to spiritual aspiration。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 1
Of the imitation of Christ； and of contempt of the world and all its
vanities
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness（1）； saith the Lord。
There are the words of Christ； and they teach us how far we must imitate
His life and character； if we seek true illumination； and deliverance from
all blindness of heart。 Let it be our most earnest study； therefore； to
dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ。
2。 His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men； and such as have
His Spirit find therein the hidden manna。（2） But there are many who；
though they frequently hear the Gospel； yet feel but little longing after it；
because they have not the mind of Christ。 He； therefore； that will fully
and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ； let him strive to
conform his whole life to that mind of Christ。
3。 What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the
Holy Trinity； if thou lack humility； and be thus displeasing to the Trinity？
For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright； it is a
good life which maketh a man dear to God。 I had rather feel contrition
than be skilful in the definition thereof。 If thou knowest the whole Bible；
and the sayings of all the philosophers； what should all this profit thee
without the love and grace of God？ Vanity of vanities； all is vanity； save
to love God； and Him only to serve。 That is the highest wisdom； to cast
the world behind us； and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom。
4。 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。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
5。 Be ofttimes mindful of the saying；（3） The eye is not satified with
seeing； nor the ear with hearing。 Strive； therefore； to turn away thy heart
from the love of the things that are seen； and to set it upon the things that
are not seen。 For they who follow after their own fleshly lusts； defile the
conscience； and destroy the grace of God。
（1） John viii。 12。 （2） Revelations ii。 17。 （3） Ecclesiastes i。 8。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 2
Of thinking humbly of oneself
There is naturally in every man a desire to know； but what profiteth
knowledge without the fear of God？ Better of a surety is a lowly peasant
who serveth God； than a proud philosopher who watcheth the stars and
neglecteth the knowledge of himself。 He who knoweth himself well is
vile in his own sight； neither regardeth he the praises of men。 If I knew
all the things that are in the world； and were not in charity； what should it
help me before God； who is to judge me according to my deeds？
2。 Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge； for therein is found much
distraction and deceit。 Those who have knowledge desire to appear
learned； and to be called wise。 Many things there are to know which
profiteth little or nothing to the soul。 And foolish out of measure in he
who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve to his soul's
health。 Many words satisfy not the soul； but a good life refresheth the
mind； and a pure conscience giveth great confidence towards God。
3。 The greater and more complete thy knowledge； the more severely
shalt thou be judged； unless thou hast lived holily。 Therefore be not lifted
up by any skill or knowledge that thou hast； but rather fear concerning the
knowledge which is given to thee。 If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest
many things； and understandest them well； know also that there are many
more things which thou knowest not。 Be not high…minded； but rather
confess thine ignorance。 Why desirest thou to lift thyself above another；
when there are found many more learned and more skilled in the Scripture
than thou？ If thou wilt know and learn anything with profit； love to be
thyself unknown and to be counted for nothing。
4。 That is the highest and most profitable lesson； when a man truly
knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself。 To account nothing of one's self；
and to think always kindly and highly of others； this is great and perfect
wisdom。 Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly and grievously；
yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he； for thou knowest not
