---
title: "21 Found Quotes By Thomas Merton"
description: "21 Found quotes by Thomas Merton. Plus more from Thomas Merton and more Found sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c2/thomas-merton-231_despair_i-have-learned-that-one-cannot-truly-kno_2364223.jpg"
---

> [I have learned that one cannot truly know hope unless he has found out how like despair hope is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-have-learned-that-one-cannot-truly-know-hope-unless-he-has-found/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c2/thomas-merton-231_despair_i-have-learned-that-one-cannot-truly-kno_2364223.jpg)

> [True happiness is found in unselfish Love, A love which increases in proportion as it is shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/true-happiness-is-found-in-unselfish-love-a-love-which-increases-in/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/thomas-merton-231_found_true-happiness-is-found-in-unselfish-lov_2814891.jpg)

> [The meaning of life is found in openness to being and "being present" in full awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-meaning-of-life-is-found-in-openness-to-being-and-being-present/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-meaning-of-life-is-found-in-openness_141606.jpg)

> [When you reread your journal you find out that your newest discovery is something you already found out five years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/when-you-reread-your-journal-you-find-out-that-your-newest-discovery/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/thomas-merton-231_discovery_when-you-reread-your-journal-you-find-ou_2023233.jpg)

> [“No one can find God without having first been found by Him. A monk is a man who seeks God because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/no-one-can-find-god-without-having-first-been-found-by-him-a-monk-is/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/thomas-merton-231_found_no-one-can-find-god-without-having-first_1536201.jpg)

> [Happiness that is sought for ourselves alone can never be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/happiness-that-is-sought-for-ourselves-alone-can-never-be-found/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/thomas-merton-231_found_happiness-that-is-sought-for-ourselves-a_1538062.jpg)

> [True happiness is not found in any other reward than that of being united with God. If I seek some other reward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/true-happiness-is-not-found-in-any-other-reward-than-that-of-being/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0d/thomas-merton-231_found_true-happiness-is-not-found-in-any-other_1001473.jpg)

> [If there was no other proof of the infinite patience of God, a very good one could be found in His toleration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-there-was-no-other-proof-of-the-infinite-patience-of-god-a-very/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/888/thomas-merton-231_found_if-there-was-no-other-proof-of-the-infin_1211899.jpg)

> [Ultimately faith is the only key to the universe. The final meaning of human existence, and the answers to the questions on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/ultimately-faith-is-the-only-key-to-the-universe-the-final-meaning-of/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/thomas-merton-231_answers_ultimately-faith-is-the-only-key-to-the_3053232.jpg)

> [It is my belief, that we should not be too sure of having found Christ in ourselves until we have found him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-my-belief-that-we-should-not-be-too-sure-of-having-found-christ/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/thomas-merton-231_awareness_it-is-my-belief-that-we-should-not-be-to_1741526.jpg)

> [A happiness that is sought for ourselves alone can never be found: for a happiness that is diminished by being shared is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/a-happiness-that-is-sought-for-ourselves-alone-can-never-be-found-for/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af8/thomas-merton-231_bigs_a-happiness-that-is-sought-for-ourselves_1315584.jpg)

> [Business is not the supreme virtue, and sanctity is not measured by the amount of work we accomplish. Perfection is found in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/business-is-not-the-supreme-virtue-and-sanctity-is-not-measured-by/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/thomas-merton-231_accomplish_business-is-not-the-supreme-virtue-and-s_541568.jpg)

> [Zen enriches no one. There is no body to be found. The birds may come and circle for a while in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/zen-enriches-no-one-there-is-no-body-to-be-found-the-birds-may-come/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/863/thomas-merton-231_bird_zen-enriches-no-one-there-is-no-body-to_993908.jpg)

> [We know when we are following our vocation when our soul is set free from preoccupation with itself and is able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-know-when-we-are-following-our-vocation-when-our-soul-is-set-free/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/thomas-merton-231_able_we-know-when-we-are-following-our-vocati_2809467.jpg)

> [The danger of education, I have found, is that it so easily confuses means with ends. Worse than that, it quite easily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-danger-of-education-i-have-found-is-that-it-so-easily-confuses/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f66/thomas-merton-231_artificial_the-danger-of-education-i-have-found-is_788119.jpg)

> [The only thing to seek in contemplative prayer is God; and we seek Him successfully when we realize that we cannot find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-only-thing-to-seek-in-contemplative-prayer-is-god-and-we-seek-him/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-merton-231_contemplative_the-only-thing-to-seek-in-contemplative_1823459.jpg)

> [Paradoxically, I have found peace because I have always been dissatisfied. My moments of depression and despair turn out to be renewals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/paradoxically-i-have-found-peace-because-i-have-always-been/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d6/thomas-merton-231_cliche_paradoxically-i-have-found-peace-because_3007885.jpg)

> [Keeping a journal has taught me that there is not so much new in your life as you sometimes think. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/keeping-a-journal-has-taught-me-that-there-is-not-so-much-new-in-your/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/thomas-merton-231_deeper_keeping-a-journal-has-taught-me-that-the_2223413.jpg)

> [Surrender your own poverty and acknowledge your nothingness to the Lord. Whether you understand it or not, God loves you, is present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/surrender-your-own-poverty-and-acknowledge-your-nothingness-to-the/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80b/thomas-merton-231_acknowledge_surrender-your-own-poverty-and-acknowled_3170005.jpg)

> [I would call the attention of the reader to the difference between "reason" and "reasoning." Reason is a light, reasoning a process.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-would-call-the-attention-of-the-reader-to-the-difference-between/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/thomas-merton-231_argumentation_i-would-call-the-attention-of-the-reader_2999902.jpg)

> [The land which thou goest to possess is not like the land of Egypt from whence thou camest out... For my thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-land-which-thou-goest-to-possess-is-not-like-the-land-of-egypt/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19e/thomas-merton-231_bread_the-land-which-thou-goest-to-possess-is_2193676.jpg)

## Other authors on Found

## More by Thomas Merton

> [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [The desire to kill is like the desire to attack another with an ingot of red -hot iron: I have to pick up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-desire-to-kill-is-like-the-desire-to-attack-another-with-an-ingot/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-enter-into-the-realm-of-contemplation-one-must-in-a-certain-sense/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [Things that are good are good, and if one is responding to that goodness one is in contact with a truth from which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/things-that-are-good-are-good-and-if-one-is-responding-to-that/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [Love winter when the plant says nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/love-winter-when-the-plant-says-nothing/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“The wisdom of the flesh is a judgement that the ordinary ends of our natural appetites are the goods to which the whole of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-wisdom-of-the-flesh-is-a-judgement-that-the-ordinary-ends-of-our/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [I will no longer wound myself with the thoughts and questions that have surrounded me like thorns: that is a penance You do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-will-no-longer-wound-myself-with-the-thoughts-and-questions-that/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-write-for-god-you-will-reach-many-men-and-bring-them-joy-if/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“Contemplation means rest, suspension of activity, withdrawal into the mysterious interior solitude in which the soul is absorbed in the immense and fruitful silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/contemplation-means-rest-suspension-of-activity-withdrawal-into-the/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

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                        "text": "True happiness is not found in any other reward than that of being united with God. If I seek some other reward besides God Himself, I may get my reward but I cannot be happy.",
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                        "text": "If there was no other proof of the infinite patience of God, a very good one could be found in His toleration of the pictures that are painted of Him.",
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                        "text": "Ultimately faith is the only key to the universe. The final meaning of human existence, and the answers to the questions on which all our happiness depends cannot be found in any other way.",
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                        "text": "It is my belief, that we should not be too sure of having found Christ in ourselves until we have found him also in that part of humanity that is most remote from our own.",
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                        "text": "A happiness that is sought for ourselves alone can never be found: for a happiness that is diminished by being shared is not big enough to make us happy.",
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                        "text": "Business is not the supreme virtue, and sanctity is not measured by the amount of work we accomplish. Perfection is found in the purity of our love for God, and this pure love is a delicate plant that grows best where there is plenty of time for it to mature",
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                        "text": "Zen enriches no one. There is no body to be found. The birds may come and circle for a while in the place where it is thought to be. But they soon go elsewhere. When they are gone, the \"nothing,\" the \"no-body\" that was there, suddenly appears. That is Zen. It was there all the time but the scavengers missed it, because it was not their kind of prey.",
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                        "text": "We know when we are following our vocation when our soul is set free from preoccupation with itself and is able to seek God and even to find Him, even though it may not appear to find Him. Gratitude and confidence and freedom from ourselves: these are signs that we have found our vocation and are living up to it even though everything else may seem to have gone wrong. They give us peace in any suffering. They teach us to laugh at despair. And we may have to.",
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                        "text": "The danger of education, I have found, is that it so easily confuses means with ends. Worse than that, it quite easily forgets both and devotes itself merely to the mass production of uneducated gradtuates - people literaly unfit for anything except to take part in an elaborate and completely artificial charade which they and their contemporaries have conspired to call \"life\".",
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                        "text": "The only thing to seek in contemplative prayer is God; and we seek Him successfully when we realize that we cannot find Him unless He shows Himself to us, and yet at the same time that He would not have inspired us to seek Him unless we had already found Him.",
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                        "text": "Paradoxically, I have found peace because I have always been dissatisfied. My moments of depression and despair turn out to be renewals, new beginnings. If I were once to settle down and be satisfied with the surface of life, with its divisions and its cliches, it would be time to call in the undertaker... So, then, this dissatisfaction which sometimes used to worry me and has certainly, I know, worried others, has helped me in fact to move freely and even gaily with the stream of life.",
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                        "text": "Keeping a journal has taught me that there is not so much new in your life as you sometimes think. When you re-read your journal you find out that your latest discovery is something you already found out five years ago. Still, it is true that one penetrates deeper and deeper into the same ideas and the same experiences.",
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                        "text": "Surrender your own poverty and acknowledge your nothingness to the Lord. Whether you understand it or not, God loves you, is present in you, lives in you, dwells in you, calls you, saves you and offers you an understanding and compassion which are like nothing you have ever found in a book or heard in a sermon.",
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                        "text": "I would call the attention of the reader to the difference between \"reason\" and \"reasoning.\" Reason is a light, reasoning a process. Reason is a faculty, reasoning an exercise of that faculty. Reasoning proceeds from one truth to another by means of argumentation. This generally involves the whole mind in labor and complexity. But reason does not exist merely in order to engage in reasoning. The process is a means to an end. The true fulfillment of reason as a faculty is found when it can embrace the truth simply and without labor in the light of single intuition.",
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                        "text": "The land which thou goest to possess is not like the land of Egypt from whence thou camest out... For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord...Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near...Why do you spend money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which doth not satisfy you?",
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