The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself explained
This chapter warns against the pride of knowledge and emphasizes the importance of humility and self-knowledge.
What happens
This chapter warns against the pride of knowledge and emphasizes the importance of humility and self-knowledge. It teaches that true wisdom lies in recognizing one's own frailty and valuing a good life over worldly learning, for God judges by deeds, not by intellect.
Themes in this chapter
Humility and Self-Denial
The chapter's core teaching: true wisdom is to know oneself as lowly and to think nothing of oneself.
Contempt for the World
Warns against the distraction and deceit of worldly knowledge, urging focus on the soul's health.
Interior Life and Solitude
Encourages resting from inordinate desire for knowledge to cultivate a pure conscience and inner peace.
Characters to notice
- The Disciple
The narrator reflects on the dangers of pride in knowledge and the value of humility.
- God the Father
Referenced as the judge who evaluates deeds, not knowledge.
- Jesus Christ
Implied through the call to live holily and the fear of God.
Key passages
“Better of a surety is a lowly peasant who serveth God, than a proud philosopher who watcheth the stars and neglecteth the knowledge of himself.”
A humble person devoted to God is far better than a proud intellectual who studies the cosmos but ignores his own soul.
Contrasts worldly pride with spiritual humility.
“The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt thou be judged, unless thou hast lived holily.”
The more you know, the stricter your judgment will be if you do not live a holy life.
Knowledge increases responsibility before God.
“That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself.”
The greatest and most useful lesson is to know yourself and think humbly of who you are.
Self-knowledge and humility are the pinnacle of learning.