# Of Self-Denial, and the Casting Away All Selfishness explained — The Imitation of Christ

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

## What happens

The chapter emphasizes the necessity of complete self-denial and renunciation of all selfish desires to attain true liberty and union with God. It presents a dialogue where Christ instructs the disciple that perfect freedom comes only through abandoning self-love, earthly wisdom, and personal pleasures, and instead seeking heavenly wisdom, which appears humble and lowly to the world.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humility and Self-Denial

The entire chapter is centered on the command to deny oneself, renounce all selfishness, and embrace humility as the path to true liberty and peace.

### Contempt for the World

The text contrasts earthly wisdom and pleasures with heavenly wisdom, urging the disciple to despise base things and seek what is eternal.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Speaks as 'My Son' to the disciple, teaching the necessity of self-denial and renunciation of all selfishness.

### The Disciple

Responds to Christ's teaching, acknowledging that this path is not a day's work but contains all perfection of the religious life.

## Key lines

> Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.

Let go of everything you cling to, and you will gain everything worthwhile; abandon your selfish desires, and you will discover true peace.

_This encapsulates the core teaching of the chapter: total renunciation leads to spiritual fulfillment._

> I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, that is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all base things.

I advise you to acquire from Me the pure, tested wisdom of heaven, which will make you truly wealthy by scorning all worthless earthly things.

_The 'gold tried in the fire' symbolizes refined, divine wisdom that comes through suffering and self-denial._

## Links

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