Thomas à Kempis
author profile
died
July 25, 1471
gender
male
place of birth
Kempen, Germany
genre
Religion & Spirituality
influences
Geert Groote, Florentius Radewijns
about this author
Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") was born at Kempen (hence the "A Kempis") in the duchy of Cleves in Germany around 1380. He was educated by a religious order called the Brethren of the Common Life, and in due course joined the order, was ordained a priest, became sub-prior of his house (in the low Countries), and died 25 July 1471 (his feast is observed a day early to avoid conflict with that of James bar-Zebedee the Apostle).
Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.
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"A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike."
— Thomas à Kempis
— Thomas à Kempis
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"If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance."
— Thomas à Kempis (The Imitation of Christ)
— Thomas à Kempis (The Imitation of Christ)
"At the Day of Judgement we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done."
— Thomas à Kempis
— Thomas à Kempis
















