Quid prodest tibi alta de Trinitate disputare, si careas humilitate unde displiceas Trinitati? Vere alta verba non faciunt sanctum et justum, sed virtuosa vita efficit Deo carum. Opto magis sentire compunctionem quam scire definitionem. Si scires totam Bibliam, et omnium philosophorum dicta quid totum prodesset, sine charitate et gratia? Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas præter amare Deum et illi soli fervire. Ista est summa sapientia per contemptum mundi tendere ad regna cælestia. (I.I.3)
What does it profit you to dispute the lofty matters of the the Holy Trinity, if you lack humility, and so displease the Trinity? In truth it is not deep words that make you holy and upright, but a virtuous life which makes you dear to God. I rather prefer to know contrition than to know in its definition. If you know the whole Bible, and the maxims of all the philosophers, what does the lot of this profit you without charity and grace? ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity,’ save to love God and to serve Him alone. This is the highest wisdom: to cast off the world and to strive towards the heavenly kingdom. (Translation mine)
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
