The Imitation of Christ

The Imitation of Christ is a book by Thomas à Kempis, first published in c. 1471–1472. Composed originally in Latin within the Devotio Moderna movement, it offers a clear, practical path of Christian spirituality centred on humility, self-denial, and the interior life. Structured as four short books of counsel, it guides readers from everyday discipline and prayer to deeper interior consolation and, finally, to devotion to the Eucharist — making it a perennial handbook for personal holiness and quiet piety. For centuries this devotional classic has shaped laypeople and religious alike, becoming one of the most read and translated works of Christian literature after the Bible. Its brief chapters, aphoristic style, and steady emphasis on imitating Christ in thought and deed have ensured its place in churches, monasteries, and private devotions worldwide. Readers seeking timeless guidance on humility, silence, detachment from worldly vanities, and a life patterned on Christ will find here a trusted companion for meditation, spiritual exercises, and daily examination of conscience. This translation by Rev. William Benham was originally published in 1886.