What are true riches?

"Do not boast of riches if you have them, or of your important friends; but glory in God only, from Whom all good things come and Who, being the highest good, desires to give us Himself.  Do not boast of beauty of body, which is soon disfigured by illness or age.  Do not be proud of any talents or skills you possess, for in this way you displease God from Whom you have received them."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seven

Your reward is in heaven

"Do what you can to please Him and He will reward you well for your good will.  Do not trust your own cleverness nor that of any person; rather, put your trust in the grace of God, Who gives aid to the humble but humiliates the presumptuous." 

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seven

Put all your confidence in God...

"It is foolish to put your trust in humans--or in any creature for that matter.  Why should you mind serving others or being poor in the eyes of the world, as long as you do it for the love of Jesus Christ?  Put all your confidence in God, but do not trust yourself."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seven

Wasted time...

Concerning inordinate affections, continued…

"If they give in to themselves, then they suffer remorse of conscience because they have yielded to temptation and do not find the peace of mind they desired.  We find our peace only by resisting our passions, not by giving in to them.  

Peace is at the heart of the devout and fervent, not in those who are carnal and give themselves to outward things."

The Imitation of Christ, Chapter One, Book Six

Concerning Inordinate Affections

"It is difficult for people to withdraw themselves from worldly desires when their spirits are still weak and inclined to the things of sense.  While in this state their hearts are heavy when they try to detach themselves and they are quickly angered by those who oppress them."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Six

How to maintain peace of soul...

"When people desire anything to an excessive degree, they immediately lose their peace of soul.  The proud and avaricious are always perturbed; while the humble and the poor in spirit live in peace and contentment.  Those who are not mortified are easily overcome by small temptations."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, chapter six

On reading Sacred Scripture

"Humans soon pass away; the truth of the Lord remains forever (Ps 117:2).  Through the Scripture God speaks to us in many ways, regardless of those He uses as instruments.   Too often we are led by curiosity to read Holy Scripture and want to understand and argue passages we should simply pass over." 

If you wish to profit by the reading of Scripture, then do so with humility, simplicity and faith and never try to acquire a reputation for being a scholar.  Inquire, and then listen meekly to what the Saints tell you.  Do not be critical of the sayings of the Ancient Fathers, for they were not written without reason."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, chapter five

Seek truth in what you read...

"It is truth that must be sought in Holy Scripture, not beauty of expression.  It should be read with the same good spirit in which it was written.  We must seek the good of our soul rather than literary style, and just as gladly read simple and devout books as those of deep and subtle learning."

Be concerned with only the pure truth in what you read and not with the greatness or lack of learning of the author.  Think more of what is said than of the one who said it."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, chapter five