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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Ninth Chapter
OBEDIENCE AND SUBJECTION
IT IS a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one's
own master, for it is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live
in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and
dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless
they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of God.
Go where you may, you will find no rest except in humble obedience to the rule
of authority. Dreams of happiness expected from change and different places have
deceived many.
Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who
agree with him. But if God be among us, we must at times give up our opinions
for the blessings of peace.
Furthermore, who is so wise that he can have full knowledge of everything? Do
not trust too much in your own opinions, but be willing to listen to those of
others. If, though your own be good, you accept another's opinion for love of
God, you will gain much more merit; for I have often heard that it is safer to
listen to advice and take it than to give it. It may happen, too, that while
one's own opinion may be good, refusal to agree with others when reason and
occasion demand it, is a sign of pride and obstinacy.
