# Of the Imitation of Christ/Book I/Chapter XXI

CHAPTER XXI.
OF COMPUNCTION OF HEART.
F thou wilt make any progress in godliness, keep thyself in the fear of God, and affect not too much liberty. Restrain all thy senses under discipline, and give not thyself over to foolish mirth.
Give thyself to compunction of heart, and thou shalt gain much devotion thereby.
Compunction layeth open much good, which dissoluteness is wont quickly to destroy.
It is a wonder that any man can ever perfectly rejoice in this life if he duly consider, and thoroughly weigh his state of banishment, and the many perils wherewith his soul is environed.
2. Through levity of heart, and small care for our failings, we feel not the real sorrows of our souls; and so oftentimes we vainly laugh, when we have just cause to weep.
There is no true liberty nor right joy but in the fear of God accompanied with a good conscience.
Happy is he who can cast off all distracting impediments, and bring himself to the one single purpose of holy compunction.
Happy is he, who can abandon all that may defile his conscience or burden it.
Contend manfully; one habit overcometh another.
If thou canst let others alone in their matters, they likewise will not hinder thee in thine.
3. Busy not thyself in matters which appertain to ​others, neither do thou entangle thyself with the affairs of thy betters.
Still have an eye to thyself first, and be sure more especially to admonish thyself before all thy friends.
If thou hast not the favour of men, be not grieved at it; but take this to heart, that thou dost not behave thyself so warily and circumspectly as it becometh the servant of God.
It is better oftentimes and safer that a man should not have many consolations in this life, especially such as are according to the flesh.
But that we have not divine consolations at all, or do very seldom taste them, the fault is ours, because we seek not after compunction of heart, nor do altogether forsake the vain and outward comforts of this world.
4. Know that thou art unworthy of divine consolation, and that thou hast rather deserved much tribulation.
When a man hath perfect compunction, then is the whole world grievous and bitter unto him.
A good man findeth always sufficient cause for mourning and weeping.
For whether he consider his own or his neighbour's estate, he knoweth that none liveth here without tribulation.
And the more narrowly a man looketh into himself, so much the more he sorroweth.
Our sins and wickedness wherein we lie so enwrapt; that we can seldom apply ourselves to heavenly contemplations, do minister unto us matter of just sorrow and inward compunction.
​ 5. Didst thou oftener think of thy death than of length of life, there is no question but thou wouldst be more zealous to amend.
If also thou didst but consider within thyself the infernal pains in the other world, I believe thou wouldst willingly undergo any labour or sorrow in this world, and not be afraid of the greatest austerity.
But because these things enter not the heart, and we still love those things only that delight us, therefore it is we remain cold and very dull in religion.
6. It is often our want of spirituality which maketh our miserable body so easily to complain.
Pray therefore unto the Lord with all humility, that He will vouchsafe to give thee the spirit of compunction. And say with the Prophet, "Feed me, Lord, with the bread of tears, and give me plenteousness of tears to drink."