On humble obedience...

"Go where you will, but you will never find rest except in humble obedience to the rule of your superior.  Many are deceived by thinking that a change of location will solve their difficulties."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nine

Obedience

"To be obedient, to live under a superior--not seeking our own way--is great virtue.  It is safer to obey orders than to give them.  Many obey more out of necessity than for charity's sake.  These find it burdensome and complain easily; but they will never have liberty of spirit until they submit wholly to authority for the love of God."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nine

Fault lines...

"Have charity for all; but familiarity is unwise.  Sometimes it happens that we know someone only by fame, but when we meet that person we are often disappointed.  And sometimes we think we please others by our presence, when in reality they come to dislike us because of the faults they see in us."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eight

"Do not open your heart to everyone, cont…

  …rather associate yourself with those who are humble and have simplicity, who are devout and self-disciplined, talking with them about those things that will edify and strengthen the soul.  Do not be familiar with the opposite sex, but commend to God those who are good.   Desire to be on intimate terms with God and His Angels, but shun the acquaintance of people as much as you can."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter 8

On the company we keep...

"Do not open your heart to everyone, but only to one who is wise, God-fearing, and who can keep your confidence.  Spend little time in the company of young people or with the inexperienced; do not flatter the rich or seek to be in the presence of the great without good reason."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eight

On thinking too highly of oneself...

"It will not hurt you to consider yourself worse than others, even if this is not really so; but it will hurt greatly if you prefer yourself above another, although that person might be a great sinner.  A humble person is a peaceful person; but the hearts of the proud are full of envy and resentment."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seven

On preserving humility

"Do not consider yourself better than others, for you may be worse in God's sight.  Do not be proud of your good works, for often what pleases us displeases God, Whose judgments differ from the judgments of humans.  Whatever goodness or virtue is in you, believe that your neighbor has better qualities; in this way you will preserve humility."

The Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seven

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