All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it

All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it

Thomas a Kempis, a German-Dutch canon regular of the late medieval period, is best known for his work "The Imitation of Christ," a devotional book that has been widely read and revered for centuries. In this work, Kempis emphasizes the importance of patience as a virtue that all men should commend, yet few are willing to practice.

The quote "All men commend patience, although few are willing to practice it" perfectly encapsulates Kempis' teachings on the subject. Throughout "The Imitation of Christ," Kempis stresses the importance of patience in the Christian life. He argues that patience is essential for spiritual growth and that it is a virtue that all believers should strive to cultivate.

Kempis believed that patience is a key component of a life lived in imitation of Christ. Just as Christ demonstrated patience in the face of suffering and adversity, so too should his followers. Kempis writes, "It is patience that helps us to endure adversity and tribulation, and to bear with one another's faults and weaknesses." He believed that patience is a sign of true humility and that it is through patience that we can grow in grace and virtue.

However, Kempis also recognized that practicing patience is not easy. In a world that values instant gratification and quick results, patience can be a difficult virtue to cultivate. He writes, "It is easy to talk about patience, but much harder to actually practice it." Kempis understood that true patience requires self-discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to endure suffering and hardship.

Despite the challenges of practicing patience, Kempis believed that it is a virtue worth pursuing. He writes, "Patience is the key to all virtues, for it is through patience that we learn to trust in God's timing and to accept his will for our lives." Kempis believed that by cultivating patience, we can grow closer to God and become more like Christ.