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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Fourth Chapter
PRUDENCE IN ACTION
DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and
patiently in the light of God's will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak
that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect men, however,
do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is
prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech.
Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one's opinion, not to believe
everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great
wisdom.
Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man. Seek the advice of your betters
in preference to following your own inclinations.
A good life makes a man wise according to God and gives him experience in many
things, for the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the
more at peace he will be in all things.
