Imitation of Christ - The Third Chapter
                         The Doctrine of Truth

HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words 
that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses often 
deceive us and we discern very little.
     What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters 
when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment 
Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and necessary and 
undue concern with those which are irrelevant and harmful, are 
great folly.
     We have eyes and do not see.
     What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? 
He to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing. For 
from this Word are all things and of Him all things speak -- the 
Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no man 
understands or judges aright. He to whom it becomes everything, 
who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it, may 
ease his heart and remain at peace with God.
O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love 
everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and 
read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, 
let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
     The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart 
he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he 
receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and 
steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does 
them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace 
he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more 
trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?
     A good and devout man arranges in his mind the things he has 
to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but 
according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to 
struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This ought to 
be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each 
day, to advance in virtue.
     Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed 
with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble 
knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit 
of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or 
knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a 
clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. 
Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try 
to become learned rather than to live well.
     If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting 
virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so 
much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious 
organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be 
asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we 
have spoken but how well we have lived.
     Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you 
knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning? 
Others have already taken their places and I know not whether they 
ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to be 
something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly the glory 
of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace with 
their learning, then their study and reading would have been worth 
while.
     How many there are who perish because of vain worldly 
knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain in 
their own conceits because they chose to be great rather than 
humble.
     He is truly great who has great charity. He is truly great 
who is little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest 
honor. He is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly 
that he may gain Christ. He who does God's will and renounces his 
own is truly very learned.