Maxioms by Meister Eckhart
The now wherein God made the first man, and the now wherein the last man disappears, and the now I read more
The now wherein God made the first man, and the now wherein the last man disappears, and the now I am speaking in, all are the same in God, where this is but the now.
What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action
What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action
People should think less about what they ought to do and more about what they ought to be. If only read more
People should think less about what they ought to do and more about what they ought to be. If only their being were good, their works would shine forth brightly. Do not imagine that you can ground your salvation upon actions; it must rest on what you are. The ground upon which good character rests is the very same ground from which man's work derives its value, namely, a mind wholly turned to God. Verily, if you were so minded, you might tread on a stone and it would be a more pious work than if you, simply for your own profit, were to receive the Body of the Lord and were wanting in spiritual detachment.
Even though I never did an evil deed, yet, if I have the will to do evil, I have the read more
Even though I never did an evil deed, yet, if I have the will to do evil, I have the sin as if I had done the deed; and I could, by a total will, do as great a sin as if I had killed the whole world, though I never actually did anything. Why, would the same not be possible to a good will? Yes, indeed, and even much more so. Surely, I can do all things with the will. I can bear the sorrow of all men and feed all the poor and do the work of all men and whatever else you may think of. If it be not the will that fails you, but only the power, then truly, before God, you have done it all, and no man can take it from you or even hinder you for a moment; for to will to do as soon as I can is the same before God as having done it.
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.