# Of not troubling ourselves about outward things explained — The Imitation of Christ

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

## What happens

The chapter advises the disciple to remain detached from outward concerns, to bear ignorance and perceived defeat patiently, and to focus on inner peace with God rather than worldly disputes or losses.

## Themes in this chapter

### Contempt for the World

The chapter urges the disciple to consider himself dead to the world and to pass by outward things with deaf ear.

### Interior Life and Solitude

Focus on inner peace with God and turning away from external disputes and losses.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Addressed as 'My Son' in the opening exhortation.

### The Disciple

Responds to Christ's teaching with a lament about human preoccupation with temporal matters.

## Key lines

> My Son, in many things it behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the whole world is crucified.

My child, you must accept ignorance in many matters and consider yourself as dead to the world, with the world itself crucified to you.

_Christ instructs the disciple to embrace detachment and humility._

> If thou stand well with God and hast His judgment in thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one conquered.

If you are right with God and keep His perspective, you will readily endure being seen as defeated.

_Inner peace with God outweighs external appearances of failure._

## Links

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