# Of Inordinate Affections explained — The Imitation of Christ

> Chapter companion for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

## What happens

This chapter teaches that inordinate desires lead to restlessness and that true peace is found only in resisting passions and living a life fervent towards God, not in yielding to earthly inclinations.

## Themes in this chapter

### Contempt for the World

The chapter contrasts the restlessness of the proud and avaricious with the peace of the poor and lowly of heart, urging withdrawal from earthly desires.

### Interior Life and Solitude

True peace is found in resisting passion and living a life of the Spirit, turning inward toward God.

## Character check-ins

### The Disciple

The narrator reflects on the nature of inordinate affections and the path to true peace.

## Key lines

> Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh restless.

Whenever a person wants something excessively, they immediately become unsettled.

_This introduces the core teaching that inordinate desire disrupts inner peace._

> For true peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it.

Genuine peace of heart comes from resisting our passions, not from giving in to them.

_This summarizes the chapter's central message about the source of true peace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters