“Nature gladly beholds things of this world; she rejoices at worldly gain, is depressed by worldly loss, and is soon shaken by a sharp word. But grace beholds lasting things, does not trust in temporal things, and is not troubled by the loss of them, or grieved by intemperate words, for grace has put her treasure in God and in spiritual things that do not perish. Nature is greedy, and takes more gladly than she gives; she loves much to have property and private possessions. But grace is sympathetic and generous to the poor, flees her own gain, is content with little, and judges that it is better to give than receive.”
Thomas à Kempis in The Imitation of Christ (New York: Image, 1989) 187.