SR
← The Imitation of Christ/Book 3 · On Inward Consolation
Chapter 57Imit.3.57

Quod homo non sit nimis dejectus, quando labitur in aliquos defectus.

Steadfastness in Small Trials

The disciple is urged not to be shaken by minor offenses or personal criticism, recognizing that humility and patience in small adversities are more pleasing to God than comfort in ease.

Son, patience and humility in hard times are more pleasing to God than abundant consolation and devotion in times of ease. Why are you troubled by a small thing said against you?1 If it had been more, you still shouldn't have been shaken. But now let it pass: it's not the first, and it's not new, and it won't be the last if you live long. You're brave enough as long as nothing adverse comes your way; you even give good counsel and know how to strengthen others with words. But when sudden trouble comes to your own door, you fail in both counsel and strength.

Endurance and Return to Grace

The soul is taught to accept frailty in small trials as salutary, to endure patiently, guard speech, and trust in God’s promise of renewed comfort.

Pay attention to your great frailty, which you experience all the more often in small matters; yet for your salvation these things are allowed to happen.2 When these and similar things happen, place yourself before God as best you know how, from the heart; and if tribulation has touched you, still let it cast you down neither entangle you for long.3 At the very least, endure patiently what you cannot bear joyfully. And if you hear less willingly and feel the sting of indignation, hold yourself back, and do not let anything disorderly pass from your lips by which the little ones may be led astray.✦45 Soon the stirred-up disturbance will quiet down, and your inner grief, as grace returns, will be made sweet.6 I still live, said the Lord, ready to help you and to comfort you even more fully than before, if you have placed your trust in me and have called upon me with devotion.✦78

Human Frailty and Divine Mercy

The disciple is reminded that repeated temptation does not spell ruin, since even angels and the first humans fell; God draws near to those who know their weakness.

Be even more steady in spirit, and gird yourself for greater endurance. The whole thing isn't ruined if you find yourself often troubled or heavily tempted. You are human, and not God; you are flesh, and not an angel. How could you remain always in the same state of virtue, when this was lacking to the angel in heaven and to the first man in paradise, who did not stand firm for long? I am the one who raises up the sorrowful with healing, and who calls those who know their own weakness to my divinity.9

Prayer for Strength and a Holy End

The chapter closes with heartfelt prayer: delight in God’s word, reliance on Scripture in distress, detachment from present suffering, and petition for a blessed death and entry into God’s kingdom.

Lord, blessed be your word — sweeter than honey and the honeycomb to my mouth. What would I do in such great tribulations and distresses of mine, unless you strengthened me with your holy words? As long as I finally reach the harbor of salvation, what do I care what things and how great the things I will have suffered? Grant a good end, and grant a happy departure from this world. Remember me, my God, and guide me on a straight path into your kingdom.✦ Amen.

Read the original Latin

Fili, magis placent patientia et humilitas in adversis, quam multa consolatio et devotio in prosperis. Ut quid te contristat parvum factum contra te dictum? Si amplius fuisset, commoveri non debuisses. Sed nunc dimitte transire: non est primum nec novum nec ultimum erit, si diu vixeris. Satis virilis es, quamdiu nil obviat adversi; bene etiam consulis et alios nosti roborare verbis: sed cum ad januam tuam venit repentina tribulatio, deficis consilio et robore.

Attende magnam fragilitatem tuam, quam sæpius experiris in modicis objectis: tamen pro salute tua ista fiunt. Cum hæc et similia contingunt, pone te ut melius nosti ex corde; et si tetigerit tribulatio, non tamen dejiciat nec diu implicet. Ad minus sustine patienter, si non potes gaudenter. Et si minus libenter audis et indignationem sentis, reprime te, nec patiaris aliquid inordinatum ex ore tuo exire, unde parvuli scandalizentur. Cito conquiescet commotio excitata, et dolor internus revertente gratia dulcorabitur. Adhuc vivo ego, dixit Dominus; juvare te paratus sum et solito amplius consolari, si confisus fueris in me, et devote invocaveris me.

Animæquior esto et ad majorem sustinentiam accingere. Non est totum frustratum, si te sæpius percipis tribulatum vel graviter tentatum. Homo es, et non Deus; caro es, et non Angelus. Quomodo tu posses semper in eodem statu virtutis permanere, quando hoc defuit Angelo in cælo, et primo Homini in paradiso, quid non diu steterunt? Ego sum qui mærentes erigo sospitate, et suam cognoscentes infirmitatem ad meam provoco divinitatem.

Domine, benedictum sit verbum tuum, dulce super mel et favum ori meo. Quid facerem in tantis tribulationibus et angustiis meis, nisi me confortares tuis sanctis sermonibus? Dummodo tandem ad portum salutis perveniam, quid mihi curæ est, quæ et quanta passus fuero? Da finem bonum et da felicem ex hoc mundo transitum. Memento mei, Deus meus, et dirige me recto itinere in regnum tuum. Amen.

Scripture echoes

  1. ↩Matt.18.6 — But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
  2. ↩Isa.41.10;Ps.91.15 — Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; indeed, I will help you; indeed, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Ps.91.15 — He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
  3. ↩Luke.23.42 — And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Notes

  1. 1 ↩Ut quid rendered as interrogative 'why?' — the phrase can also carry exclamatory force.
  2. 2 ↩tamen ('yet') carries adversative force: despite the frequency of these failings, they serve God's salvific purpose.
  3. 3 ↩non tamen ('still not / not nevertheless') rendered as 'still let it not' to preserve the concessive force: even when tribulation comes, it need not defeat you.
  4. 4 ↩unde introduces a result clause ('by which'), rendered to show the consequence of careless speech.
  5. 5 ↩parvuli ('little ones') likely echoes the Gospel concern for those easily scandalized (cf. Matt 18:6).
  6. 6 ↩gratia rendered as 'grace' per approved lexeme policy.
  7. 7 ↩Direct speech of the Lord; contractions relaxed to preserve solemnity.
  8. 8 ↩solito amplius ('more fully than before / than usual') rendered to capture the ablative of comparison.
  9. 9 ↩Sospitate (a rare form) is rendered as 'with healing' — the sense is that Christ lifts up the grieving by granting restoration or health.