Cheap in His Own Eyes

by Thomas a Kempis

Every man naturally wants to know, but what is the good of knowledge without the fear of God? …He who knows himself well becomes cheap in his own eyes, and takes no pleasure in the praises of men.

 And foolish indeed is he who gives his attention to other things than those which make for his salvation.

 The greater and better your knowledge, so much the more severely will you be judged, unless you have lived a more holy life.

 This is the highest knowledge and the most useful lesson – to have true understanding and small opinion of oneself. To hold no high opinion of oneself, and always to judge well and highly of others, is great wisdom and high perfection.

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