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Inexpressible Creator, who from the treasures of thy wisdom hast appointed three hierarchies of angels, and set them in wondrous order over the highest heavens, arranging all the elements of the world in admirable harmony, thou who art called the true fount of light and wisdom, the First Principle, deign to shed upon the darkness of my understanding a ray of thy own light, dispelling the twofold darkness of sin and ignorance in which I was born. Thou who canst make babes eloquent, school my tongue, and pour into my lips the grace of thy benediction. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, insight in expounding, and fluent grace of speech. Direct my beginning, guide my continuance, and set thy seal upon the completion: thou who art true God and Man, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.

Thy pleasure, merciful God! Grant that I may ardently desire it, carefully seek to learn it, truly recognize it, and perfectly fulfil it, to the praise and glory of thy name.

Lord my God, bestow upon me an understanding that knows thee, diligence in seeking thee, wisdom in finding thee, a way of life that is pleasing to thee, perseverance that waits trustfully for thee, and confidence that I shall embrace thee at the last.

― taken from The Manual of Catholic Prayer: For All Days and Seasons and Every Circumstance of Christian Life

The world sees and judges according to appearances; God sees what is in the heart. Thus, "God regards the greatness of the love that prompts a man, rather than the greatness of his achievement."

Thomas is particularly scathing with regard to those who seek to substitute knowledge or learning for true devotion: "A humble countryman who serves God is more pleasing to Him than a conceited intellectual who knows the course of the stars, but neglects his own soul." Holiness is more important than learning: "A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences."

... we should never deceive ourselves into believing that reading books about spirituality is an adequate substitute. As Thomas notes: "At the Day of Judgment we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done."

— Thomas à Kempis, spiritual master, in All Saints (1997) by Robert Ellsberg