The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of not troubling ourselves about outward things explained
The chapter advises the disciple to remain detached from outward concerns, to bear ignorance and perceived defeat patiently, and to focus on inner peace with God rather than worldly disputes or losses.
What happens
The chapter advises the disciple to remain detached from outward concerns, to bear ignorance and perceived defeat patiently, and to focus on inner peace with God rather than worldly disputes or losses.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story’s dramatic climax because the speaker reaches an emotional and psychological peak of total s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Contempt for the World
The chapter urges the disciple to consider himself dead to the world and to pass by outward things with deaf ear.
- Interior Life and Solitude
Focus on inner peace with God and turning away from external disputes and losses.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Addressed as 'My Son' in the opening exhortation.
- The Disciple
Responds to Christ's teaching with a lament about human preoccupation with temporal matters.
Key passages
“My Son, in many things it behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth, and as one to whom the whole world is crucified.”
My child, you must accept ignorance in many matters and consider yourself as dead to the world, with the world itself crucified to you.
Christ instructs the disciple to embrace detachment and humility.
“If thou stand well with God and hast His judgment in thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one conquered.”
If you are right with God and keep His perspective, you will readily endure being seen as defeated.
Inner peace with God outweighs external appearances of failure.
