_"Man proposes, but God disposes"_ (Vol. viii., p. 411.).--This saying is
older than the age of Thomas a Kempis, who was born about A.D. 1380. It
probably originated in two passages of Holy Scripture, on one or both of
which it may have been an ancient comment:
"Hominis est animam praeparare, et Domini gubernare linguam." "Cor
hominis disponit viam suam, sed Domini est dirigere gressus
ejus."--Proverbs xvi. 1. 10.
The sentiment in both is the same, and their pith is given in a still more
brief and condensed form in our own proverb. It is remarkable that while
Dr. A. Clarke, in his notes on Proverbs xvi., has quoted it without
reference to its authorship in the edition of Stanhope's version of _De
Imitatione Christi_, which I happen to have, it is not to be found; but its
place (according to your correspondent's reference) is occupied by the _two
texts_ above quoted. The work referred to is asserted by some to have been
only translated or transcribed by a Kempis, and written by John Gerson,
Chancellor of the University of Paris, a great theologian, who died in
1429. Be that as it may, I can assure your correspondent A. B. C. that the
saying in question _did not_ originate with the author of that work. In
Piers Ploughman's _Vision_, written A.D. 1362, it is thus introduced:
"And _Spiritus justitiae_
Shall juggen, wol he nele he (_will he nil he!_)
After the kynges counseil,
And the comune like.
And _Spiritus prudentiae_,
In many a point shall faille,
Of that he weneth will falle,
If his wit ne weere.
Wenynge is no wysdom,
Ne wys ymaginacion.
_Homo proponit, et Deus disponit_,
And governeth alle good vertues."
Vol. ii. p. 427., ll. 13984-95. Ed. London: W. Pickering, 1842.
In the same way the author frequently introduces Latin texts from the
Bible, and other books of authority and devotion. In the notes the editor
generally refers to the place from whence the quotation is taken; but as
there is no reference in connexion with the present passage, I infer that
he was not aware of its source.