Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 1.20

Of the love of solitude and silence

1. Seek a suitable time for your meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to you. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring you sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If you withdraw yourself from trifling conversation and idle goings about, as well as from novelties and gossip, you shall find your time sufficient and apt for good meditation. The greatest saints used to avoid as far as they could the company of men, and chose to live in secret with God.

2. One has said, "As often as I have gone among men, so often have I returned less a man." This is what we often experience when we have been a long time in conversation. For it is easier to be altogether silent than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon yourself out of doors. He, therefore, that seeks to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus "apart from the multitude." No man safely goes abroad who loves not to rest at home. No man safely talks but he who loves to hold his peace. No man safely rules but he who loves to be subject. No man safely commands but he who loves to obey.

3. No man safely rejoices but he who has the testimony of a good conscience within himself. The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. Nor were they the less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with great virtues and grace. But the boldness of wicked men springs from pride and presumption, and at the last turns to their own confusion. Never promise yourself security in this life, howsoever good a monk or devout a solitary you seem.

4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of men, fall the more grievously because of their over great confidence. Wherefore it is very profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted, lest they be over confident, lest they be indeed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. O how good a conscience should that man keep, who never sought a joy that passes away, who never became entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet should he possess, who would cast off all vain care, and thinks only of healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God!

5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who has diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. If you will feel compunction within your heart, enter into your chamber and shut out the tumults of the world. As it is written, commune with your own heart in your own chamber and be still. In retirement you shall find what often you will lose abroad. Retirement, if you continue therein, grows sweet, but if you keep not in it, begets weariness. If in the beginning of your conversation you dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards be to you a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace.

6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goes forward and learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. Therein finds she a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse herself each night, that she may grow the more dear to her Maker as she dwells the further from all worldly distraction. To him who withdraws himself from his acquaintance and friends God with his holy angels will draw nigh. It is better to be unknown and take heed to oneself than to neglect oneself and work wonders. It is praiseworthy for a religious man to go seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see men.

7. Why would you see what you may not have? The world passes away, and the lust thereof. The desires of sensuality draw you abroad, but when an hour is past, what do you bring home, but a weight upon your conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth brings often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening makes a sad morning. So does all carnal joy begin pleasantly, but in the end it gnaws away and destroys. What can you see abroad that you see not at home? Behold the heaven and the earth and the elements, for out of these are all things made.

8. What can you see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? You  believe perchance that you shalt be satisfied, but you will never be able to attain unto this. If you should see all things before you at once, what would it be but a vain vision? Lift up your eyes to God on high, and pray that your sins and negligence may be forgiven. Leave vain things to vain men, and mind you the things that God has commanded you. Shut your door upon you, and call unto yourself Jesus your beloved. Remain with Him in your chamber, for you shall not elsewhere find so great peace. If you had not gone forth nor listened to vain talk, you had better kept yourself in good peace. But because it sometimes delights you to hear new things, you must therefore suffer trouble of heart.