the imitation of christ(效仿基督)-第2节
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yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he； for thou knowest not
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
how long thou shalt keep thine integrity。 All of us are weak and frail；
hold thou no man more frail than thyself。
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 3
Of the knowledge of truth
Happy is the man whom Truth by itself doth teach； not by figures and
transient words； but as it is in itself。（1） Our own judgement and feelings
often deceive us； and we discern but little of the truth。 What doth it
profit to argue about hidden and dark things； concerning which we shall
not be even reproved in the judgement； because we knew them not？ Oh；
grievous folly； to neglect the things which are profitable and necessary；
and to give our minds to things which are curious and hurtful！ Having
eyes； we see not。
2。 And what have we to do with talk about genus and species！ He to
whom the Eternal Word speaketh is free from multiplied questionings。
From this One Word are all things； and all things speak of Him； and this is
the Beginning which also speaketh to us。（2） No man without Him
understandeth or rightly judgeth。 The man to whom all things are one；
who bringeth all things to one； who seeth all things in one； he is able to
remain steadfast of spirit； and at rest in God。 O God； who art the Truth；
make me one with Thee in everlasting love。 It wearieth me oftentimes to
read and listen to many things； in Thee is all that I wish for and desire。
Let all the doctors hold their peace； let all creation keep silence before
Thee： speak Thou alone to me。
3。 The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself； the more
things and the deeper things he understandeth； and that without labour；
because he receiveth the light of understanding from above。 The spirit
which is pure； sincere； and steadfast； is not distracted though it hath many
works to do； because it doth all things to the honour of God； and striveth
to be free from all thoughts of self…seeking。 Who is so full of hindrance
and annoyance to thee as thine own undisciplined heart？ A man who is
good and devout arrangeth beforehand within his own heart the works
which he hath to do abroad； and so is not drawn away by the desires of his
evil will； but subjecteth everything to the judgement of right reason。
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Who hath a harder battle to fight than he who striveth for self…mastery？
And this should be our endeavour； even to master self； and thus daily to
grow stronger than self； and go on unto perfection。
4。 All perfection hath some imperfection joined to it in this life； and all
our power of sight is not without some darkness。 A lowly knowledge of
thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of man's learning。
Not that learning is to be blamed； nor the taking account of anything that
is good； but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all。 And
because many seek knowledge rather than good living； therefore they go
astray； and bear little or no fruit。
5。 O if they would give that diligence to the rooting out of vice and the
planting of virtue which they give unto vain questionings； there had not
been so many evil doings and stumbling…blocks among the laity； nor such
ill living among houses of religion。 Of a surety； at the Day of Judgement
it will be demanded of us； not what we have read； but what we have done；
not how well we have spoken； but how holily we have lived。 Tell me；
where now are all those masters and teachers； whom thou knowest well；
whilst they were yet with you； and flourished in learning？ Their stalls
are now filled by others； who perhaps never have one thought concerning
them。 Whilst they lived they seemed to be somewhat； but now no one
speaks of them。
6。 Oh how quickly passeth the glory of the world away！ Would that
their life and knowledge had agreed together！ For then would they have
read and inquired unto good purpose。 How many perish through empty
learning in this world； who care little for serving God。 And because they
love to be great more than to be humble； therefore they 〃have become vain
in their imaginations。〃 He only is truly great； who hath great charity。 He
is truly great who deemeth himself small； and counteth all height of
honour as nothing。 He is the truly wise man； who counteth all earthly
things as dung that he may win Christ。 And he is the truly learned man；
who doeth the will of God； and forsaketh his own will。
（1） Psalm xciv。 12； Numbers xii。 8。 （2） John viii。 25 （Vulg。）。
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CHAPTER 4
Of prudence in action
We must not trust every word of others or feeling within ourselves； but
cautiously and patiently try the matter； whether it be of God。 Unhappily
we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others；
rather than good。 But they that are perfect； do not give ready heed to
every news…bearer； for they know man's weakness that it is prone to evil
and unstable in words。
2。 This is great wisdom； not to be hasty in action； or stubborn in our
own opinions。 A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word we
hear； nor to tell others all that we hear； even though we believe it。 Take
counsel with a man who is wise and of a good conscience； and seek to be
instructed by one better than thyself； rather than follow thine own
inventions。 A good life maketh a man wise toward God； and giveth him
experience in many things。 The more humble a man is in himself； and
the more obedient towards God； the wiser will he be in all things； and the
more shall his soul be at peace。
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CHAPTER 5
Of the reading of Holy Scriptures
It is Truth which we must look for in Holy Writ； not cunning of words。
All Scripture ought to be read in the spirit in which it was written。 We
must rather seek for what is profitable in Scripture； than for what
ministereth to subtlety in discourse。 Therefore we ought to read books
which are devotional and simple； as well as those which are deep and
difficult。 And let not the weight of the writer be a stumbling…block to
thee； whether he be of little or much learning； but let the love of the pure
Truth draw thee to read。 Ask not； who hath said this or that but look to
what he says。
2。 Men pass away； but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever。 Without
respect of persons God speaketh to us in divers manners。 Our own
curiosity often hindereth us in the readings of holy writings； when we seek
to understand and discuss； where we should pass simply on。 If thou
wouldst profit by thy reading； read humbly； simply； honestly； and not
desiring to win a character for learning。 Ask freely； and hear in silence
the words of holy men； nor be displeased at the hard sayings of older men
than thou； for they are not uttered without cause。
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CHAPTER 6
Of inordinate affections
Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure； immediately he
becometh restless。 The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest；
while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace。 The
