--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would rather feel contrition than know…" description: "\"“I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it.”\" — Thomas à Kempis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png" --- # I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. ![“I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it.” quote by Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png) > ““I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it.”” [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Feeling remorse is more valuable than merely defining it. **In simple terms:** Remorse beats intellectualizing. Key Takeaway Choose feeling over analysis. Themes humility morality self‑reflection Mood solemn introspective Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - confession - moral decision making - spiritual practice Key Concepts ethics philosophy Questions to Reflect On - Why prefer feeling to definition? - What does contrition teach you? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can stall genuine repentance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contrition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition/) ## Related quotes > [“Can we feel contrition for other people's crimes? Can we feel contrition for crimes we have not committed personally, but have subsequently profited from?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sven-lindqvist/can-we-feel-contrition-for-other-people-s-crimes-can-we-feel/) Sven Lindqvist > [I know California isn't a real destination. You can't get there from New Jersey, not simply by following a line drawn on a map.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-braverman/i-know-california-isn-t-a-real-destination-you-can-t-get-there-from/) [Kate Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-braverman/) > [Apologizing is different from begging, it doesn't change your status, go ahead and get on your knees, spill tears if you got it, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/apologizing-is-different-from-begging-it-doesn-t-change-your-status/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Our preaching does not stop with the law. That would lead to wounding without binding up, striking down and not healing, killing and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-preaching-does-not-stop-with-the-law-that-would-lead-to-wounding/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [“I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here. Now there is no more catching one's own eye in the mirror, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-kenyon/i-divested-myself-of-despair-and-fear-when-i-came-here-now-there-is/) [Jane Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-kenyon/) > [Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-de-montfort/even-if-you-are-on-the-brink-of-damnation-even-if-you-have-one-foot/) [Louis de Montfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-montfort/) > [We fancy that our afflictions are sent us directly from above; sometimes we think it in piety and contrition, but oftener in moroseness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/we-fancy-that-our-afflictions-are-sent-us-directly-from-above/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederica-mathewes-green/god-is-not-looking-for-repayment-but-repentance-what-heals-a-broken/) [Frederica Mathewes-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederica-mathewes-green/) > [We in the church have humility and contrition to offer the world, not a formula for success. Almost alone in our success-oriented society, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/we-in-the-church-have-humility-and-contrition-to-offer-the-world-not/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [True repentance includes sorrow for sin and contrition of heart. It breaks the heart with sighs and sobs and groans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/true-repentance-includes-sorrow-for-sin-and-contrition-of-heart-it/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [Evil is retributive: every trespass slips fetters on the will, holds the soul in durance till contrition and repentance restore it to liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/evil-is-retributive-every-trespass-slips-fetters-on-the-will-holds/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [“He died, as the Spanish phrase has it, full of illusions. He had not had time in his life to lose any of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-died-as-the-spanish-phrase-has-it-full-of-illusions-he-had-not-had/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/three-conditions-are-necessary-for-penance-contrition-which-is-sorrow/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/every-contrition-for-sin-is-apt-to-encourage-a-not-quite-charitable/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/one-moment-of-prayer-of-weak-worship-confused-contrition-tepid/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) ## More by Thomas à Kempis > [Have therefore zeal to better thyself and then mayst thou have zeal to thy neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/have-therefore-zeal-to-better-thyself-and-then-mayst-thou-have-zeal/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [And if thy heart be straight with God then every creature shall be to thee a mirror of life and a book of holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/and-if-thy-heart-be-straight-with-god-then-every-creature-shall-be-to/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Patience is necessary in this life because so much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how hard we try, our lives will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/patience-is-necessary-in-this-life-because-so-much-of-life-is-fraught/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/to-take-no-account-of-oneself-but-always-to-think-well-and-highly-of/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [It is easier not to speak a word at all than to speak more words than we should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/it-is-easier-not-to-speak-a-word-at-all-than-to-speak-more-words-than/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/be-yourself-the-man-who-is-neither-bent-upon-pleasing-his-fellows-nor/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“0 true and heavenly grace, without which our own merits are nothing, and our natural gifts of no account! Neither arts nor riches, beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/0-true-and-heavenly-grace-without-which-our-own-merits-are-nothing/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [If you would endeavor, like men of courage, to stand in the battle, surely we would feel the favorable assistance of God from heaven.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-would-endeavor-like-men-of-courage-to-stand-in-the-battle/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at home. No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/no-man-safely-goeth-abroad-who-loveth-not-to-rest-at-home-no-man/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“Nature has a relish for knowing secrets and hearing news. It wishes to appear abroad and to have sense experiences. It wishes to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/nature-has-a-relish-for-knowing-secrets-and-hearing-news-it-wishes-to/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/love-is-watchful-sleeping-it-does-not-slumber-wearied-it-is-not-tired/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [If you bear the cross gladly, it will bear you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-bear-the-cross-gladly-it-will-bear-you/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will be worthy to receive greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/be-thankful-for-the-smallest-blessing-and-you-will-be-worthy-to/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [If you cast away one cross, you will certainly find another, and perhaps a heavier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/if-you-cast-away-one-cross-you-will-certainly-find-another-and/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [Dispose thyself to patience rather than to comfort, and to the bearing of the cross rather than to gladness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/dispose-thyself-to-patience-rather-than-to-comfort-and-to-the-bearing/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) [Explore all 387 Thomas à Kempis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) ## More Contrition quotes > [“One moment of prayer, of weak worship, confused contrition, tepid thanksgiving, or pitiful petition will bring us closer to God than all the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/one-moment-of-prayer-of-weak-worship-confused-contrition-tepid/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [Every contrition for sin is apt to encourage a not quite charitable wish that other people should exhibit a similar contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/every-contrition-for-sin-is-apt-to-encourage-a-not-quite-charitable/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/three-conditions-are-necessary-for-penance-contrition-which-is-sorrow/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“He died, as the Spanish phrase has it, full of illusions. He had not had time in his life to lose any of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-died-as-the-spanish-phrase-has-it-full-of-illusions-he-had-not-had/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Evil is retributive: every trespass slips fetters on the will, holds the soul in durance till contrition and repentance restore it to liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/evil-is-retributive-every-trespass-slips-fetters-on-the-will-holds/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [True repentance includes sorrow for sin and contrition of heart. It breaks the heart with sighs and sobs and groans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-brooks/true-repentance-includes-sorrow-for-sin-and-contrition-of-heart-it/) [Thomas Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-brooks/) > [We in the church have humility and contrition to offer the world, not a formula for success. Almost alone in our success-oriented society, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/we-in-the-church-have-humility-and-contrition-to-offer-the-world-not/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [God is not looking for repayment, but repentance. What heals a broken relationship is sincere love and contrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederica-mathewes-green/god-is-not-looking-for-repayment-but-repentance-what-heals-a-broken/) [Frederica Mathewes-Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederica-mathewes-green/) > [We fancy that our afflictions are sent us directly from above; sometimes we think it in piety and contrition, but oftener in moroseness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/we-fancy-that-our-afflictions-are-sent-us-directly-from-above/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-de-montfort/even-if-you-are-on-the-brink-of-damnation-even-if-you-have-one-foot/) [Louis de Montfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-montfort/) > [“I divested myself of despair and fear when I came here. Now there is no more catching one's own eye in the mirror, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-kenyon/i-divested-myself-of-despair-and-fear-when-i-came-here-now-there-is/) [Jane Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-kenyon/) > [Our preaching does not stop with the law. That would lead to wounding without binding up, striking down and not healing, killing and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/our-preaching-does-not-stop-with-the-law-that-would-lead-to-wounding/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Apologizing is different from begging, it doesn't change your status, go ahead and get on your knees, spill tears if you got it, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/apologizing-is-different-from-begging-it-doesn-t-change-your-status/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [I know California isn't a real destination. You can't get there from New Jersey, not simply by following a line drawn on a map.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-braverman/i-know-california-isn-t-a-real-destination-you-can-t-get-there-from/) [Kate Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-braverman/) > [I bet Richard Fuld doesn't have an ounce of contrition. It's just megalomania. When it's like that, you need rules to prevent catastrophe. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/i-bet-richard-fuld-doesn-t-have-an-ounce-of-contrition-it-s-just/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 43 Contrition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas à Kempis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know-how-to-define-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contrition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know-how-to-define-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8e/thomas-a-kempis-721_contrition_i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know_2233320.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it.” — Thomas à Kempis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas à Kempis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I would rather feel contrition than...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know-how-to-define-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/i-would-rather-feel-contrition-than-know-how-to-define-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```