Day and night Quote by Thomas à Kempis
““For a little reward men make a long journey; for eternal life many will scarce lift a foot once from the ground. Mean reward is sought after; for a single piece of money sometimes there is shameful striving; for a thing which is vain and for a trifling promise, men shrink not from toiling day and night.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Imitation of Christ, 1418
People chase small, tangible rewards with great effort, yet ignore the pursuit of eternal, spiritual fulfillment.
In simple terms: Short-term gains drive hard work, while lasting purpose is often neglected.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize lasting values over fleeting gains.
Themes
spirituality
motivation
values
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
religious
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- financial goals
- personal development
- religious practice
Key Concepts
eternal life
materialism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What lasting purpose could you pursue?
- How do you balance immediate needs with long-term values?
A Different Perspective
Short-term rewards can distract from deeper, lasting fulfillment.
![“In your judgment virtue requires no reward, and is to be sought for itself, unaccompanied by external benefits. [Lat., Judice te mercede caret, per seque petenda est Externis virtus incomitata bonis.]” quote by Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cbb/ovid-276_benefits_in-your-judgment-virtue-requires-no-rewa_817061.jpg)
