Zone1 Imitation of Christ

[Skull]

A little from Knox translation:

“3.
HOW TRUTH IS TO BE LEARNT

1. Oh to be one of those to whom truth communicates itself directly—not by means of symbols and words, whose meaning changes with time, but in its very nature! Our own estimate, our own way of looking at things, is always putting us in the wrong, by taking the short view. And here are we, splitting hairs about all sorts of mysterious problems which do not concern us—we shall not be blamed, at our judgement, for having failed to solve them. Strange creatures that we are, we forget the questions which really matter to us, matter vitally, and concentrate, of set purpose, on what is mere curiosity and waste of time. So clear-sighted we are, and so blind!”

 

[Skull]

“2. Why should we be concerned to divide up things into “classes” and “families”? We get away from all this tangle of guess-work, when once the Eternal Word speaks to us. From him alone all creation takes its origin, and therefore all creation has but one voice for us; he, who is its origin, is also its interpreter. Without him, nobody can understand it, or form a true judgement about it. Until all things become One for you, traced to One source and seen in One act of vision, you cannot find anchorage for the heart, or rest calmly in God. O God, you are the truth; unite me to yourself by an act of unfailing love! I am so tired of reading about this and that, being lectured to about this and that, when all that I want, all that I long for, is to be found in you. If only they would hold their tongues, these learned folk! If only the whole of creation would be silent in your presence, and you, you alone, speak to me!”

 

[Skull]

More from chapter 3 on Truth, Knox version:

3. Once a man is integrated, once his inner life becomes simplified, all of
a piece, he begins to attain a richer and deeper knowledge—quite
effortlessly, because the intellectual light he receives comes from above.
Freedom of heart is his, and simplicity of intention, and fixity of resolve,
and he finds that he is no longer distracted by a variety of occupations; he
acts, now, only for God’s glory, and does his best to get rid of all selfseeking.
There is no worse enemy to your freedom and your peace of mind
than the undisciplined affections of your own heart. Really good and holy
people plan out beforehand in their minds how they are to behave in given
circumstances; the course of their lives does not sweep them away into
following their lower instincts, they shape it for themselves, according to
the dictates of right reason. To be sure, the conquest of self demands the
hardest struggle of all; but this has got to be our real business in life, the
conquest of self—no day passed without beating our own record, without
gaining fresh ground.
4. We find no absolute perfection in this world; always there is a
background of imperfection behind our achievement; and so it is that our
guesses at the truth can never be more than light obscured by shadow. The
humble man’s knowledge of himself is a surer way to God than any deep
researches into truth. No reason why we should quarrel with learning, or
with any straightforward pursuit of knowledge; it is all good as far as it
goes, and part of God’s plan. But always what we should prize most is a
clear conscience, and holiness of life. How is it that there are so many
people who put knowledge first, instead of conduct? It means that they are
constantly at fault, and achieve little—sometimes next to nothing. If only
these people would take as much trouble to weed out their imperfections,
and to cultivate good qualities, as they take over the learned theses they
propound, we should hear less about sins and scandals, less about lax
behaviour in religious houses. After all, when the day of judgement comes
we shall be examined about what we have done, not about what we have
read; whether we have lived conscientiously, not whether we have turned
fine phrases.

 

[ding]

HOW TRUTH IS TO BE LEARNT

By not having a preference for an outcome.