Chapter 02. Of lowly submission (Book 2. Admonitions concerning the inner life) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. Make no great account who is for you or against you, but mind only the present duty and take care that God be with you in whatsoever you do. Have a good conscience and God will defend you, for he whom God will help no man's perverseness shall be able to hurt. If you know how to hold your peace and to suffer, without doubt you will see the help of the Lord. He knows the time and the way to deliver you, therefore must you resign yourself to Him. To God it belongs to help and to deliver from all confusion. Oftentimes it is very profitable for keeping us in greater humility, that others know and rebuke our faults.

2. When a man humbls himself for his defects, he then easily pacifiesothers and quickly satisfiesthose that are angered against him. God protects and delivers the humble man, He loves and comforts the humble man, to the humble man He inclins Himself, on the humble He bestows great grace, and when he is cast down He raises him to glory: to the humble He reveals His secrets, and sweetly draws and invits him to Himself. The humble man having received reproach, is yet in sufficient peace, because he rests on God and not on the world. Reckon not yourself to have profited in anywise unless you feel yourself to be inferior to all.