Who said "Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you."?

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471). Source: The Imitation of Christ 2.12.5.

What is the original wording?

If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee (William Benham, 1874). Translated by William Benham, 1874.

Is "Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Si libenter crucem portas, portabit te

Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you.

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 2.12.5

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What it means

Resisting a burden you cannot avoid makes it twice as heavy. Accepting it changes how it rides on your shoulders. Pick up what is yours to carry and you may find it lifting you.

The source

"Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you." Thomas à Kempis said it in The Imitation of Christ 2.12.5. Translated by William Benham, 1874.

"If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee"

William Benham, 1874, The Imitation of Christ 2.12.5. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471). Augustinian canon in the Netherlands, generally credited with The Imitation of Christ, one of the most widely read Christian books ever written.

Questions

What does "Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you." mean?: Resisting a burden you cannot avoid makes it twice as heavy. Accepting it changes how it rides on your shoulders. Pick up what is yours to carry and you may find it lifting you.
Who said "Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you."?: Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380–1471). Source: The Imitation of Christ 2.12.5.
What is the original wording?: If thou willingly bear the Cross, it will bear thee (William Benham, 1874). Translated by William Benham, 1874.
Is "Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Carry the cross willingly and it will carry you." (Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 2.12.5, trans. William Benham, 1874). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/carry-the-cross-willingly-and-it-will-carry