With over 100 million copies in circulation and widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in circulation today, The Imitation of Christ is a writing of the German-Dutch school of mysticism is second only to the Bible for religious instruction and inspiration. This book has been described as "a great monument and incentive to deep living." Originally intended for monastics and ascetics, supreme emphasis is placed on Christ, the passive qualities of Christianity are stressed, and warnings are given against everyday temptations.