--- title: "24 Life is Quotes By Thomas Merton" description: "24 Life is quotes by Thomas Merton. Plus more from Thomas Merton and more Life is sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/thomas-merton-231_goals_the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the_1924978.jpg" --- > [The purpose of our lives is to find the purpose of our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the-purpose-of-our-lives/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/thomas-merton-231_goals_the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the_1924978.jpg) > [Our real journey in life is interior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/thomas-merton-231_conformity_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-126_1269301.jpg) > [The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg) > [The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the other… The whole purpose of life is to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-whole-idea-of-compassion-is-based-on-a-keen-awareness-of-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-whole-idea-of-compassion-is-based-on_1471565.jpg) > [Life is not accomplishing some special work but attaining to a degree of consciousness and inner freedom which is beyond all works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/life-is-not-accomplishing-some-special-work-but-attaining-to-a-degree/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/thomas-merton-231_attainment_life-is-not-accomplishing-some-special-w_1558509.jpg) > [If you want to have a spiritual life you must unify your life. A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-want-to-have-a-spiritual-life-you-must-unify-your-life-a-life/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/thomas-merton-231_ifs_if-you-want-to-have-a-spiritual-life-you_1536301.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) > [Our whole life is a meditation of our last decision - the only decision that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/our-whole-life-is-a-meditation-of-our-last-decision-the-only-decision/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/thomas-merton-231_decision_our-whole-life-is-a-meditation-of-our-la_1268974.jpg) > [The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-spiritual-life-is-first-of-all-a-life-it-is-not-merely-something/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/thomas-merton-231_firsts_the-spiritual-life-is-first-of-all-a-lif_2904796.jpg) > [The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life, is a continual discovery of Christ in new and unexpected places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-christian-life-and-especially-the-contemplative-life-is-a/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg) > [Living is not thinking. Thought is formed and guided by objective reality outside us. Living is the constant adjustment of thought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/living-is-not-thinking-thought-is-formed-and-guided-by-objective/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/thomas-merton-231_constant_living-is-not-thinking-thought-is-formed_2597531.jpg) > [Our real journey in life is interior; It is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-it-is-a-matter-of-growth/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/thomas-merton-231_action_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-it_3203641.jpg) > [My life is ... a mystery which I do not attempt to really understand, as though 1 were led by the hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/my-life-is-a-mystery-which-i-do-not-attempt-to-really-understand-as/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c53/thomas-merton-231_action_my-life-is-a-mystery-which-i-do-not-atte_966502.jpg) > [One of the most important-and most neglected-elements in the beginning of the interior life is the ability to respond to reality, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/one-of-the-most-important-and-most-neglected-elements-in-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/thomas-merton-231_ability_one-of-the-most-important-and-most-negle_1244920.jpg) > [One of the strange laws of the contemplative life is that in it you do not sit down and solve problems: you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contemplative-life-is-that-in-it-you/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/thomas-merton-231_bears_one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contempla_722974.jpg) > [We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-on-the-brink-of-disaster-because-we-do-not-know-how-to-let/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14a/thomas-merton-231_contradiction_we-live-on-the-brink-of-disaster-because_2089370.jpg) > [If our life is poured out in useless words, we will never hear anything, never become anything, and in the end, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-our-life-is-poured-out-in-useless-words-we-will-never-hear/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/thomas-merton-231_decision_if-our-life-is-poured-out-in-useless-wor_2970142.jpg) > [There is no greater disaster in the spiritual life than to be immersed in unreality, for life is maintained and nourished in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/there-is-no-greater-disaster-in-the-spiritual-life-than-to-be/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/thomas-merton-231_disaster_there-is-no-greater-disaster-in-the-spir_1889582.jpg) > [In general, it can be said that no contemplative life is possible without ascetic self-discipline. One must learn to survive without the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contemplative-life-is-possible/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f8/thomas-merton-231_able_in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contem_1221387.jpg) > [Everything in modern city life is calculated to keep man from entering into himself and thinking about spiritual things. Even with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/everything-in-modern-city-life-is-calculated-to-keep-man-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f30/thomas-merton-231_advertising_everything-in-modern-city-life-is-calcul_1350918.jpg) > [What is 'grace'? It is God's own life, shared by us. God's life is love. Deus caritas est. By grace we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/what-is-grace-it-is-god-s-own-life-shared-by-us-god-s-life-is-love/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/thomas-merton-231_able_what-is-grace-it-is-god-s-own-life-share_2935854.jpg) > [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The…](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/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/thomas-merton-231_alternatives_the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-soc_26190.jpg) > [The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reasoning and analysis, but first of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not-2/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_2666291.jpg) > [Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and the divine is shining through it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/life-is-this-simple-we-are-living-in-a-world-that-is-absolutely/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/thomas-merton-231_divine_life-is-this-simple-we-are-living-in-a-w_2751696.jpg) ## Other authors on Life is ## 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/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/#itemlist", "name": "24 Life is Quotes By Thomas Merton", "numberOfItems": 24, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The purpose of our lives is to find the purpose of our lives.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the-purpose-of-our-lives/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/thomas-merton-231_goals_the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the_1924978.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/thomas-merton-231_goals_the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the_1924978.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/thomas-merton-231_goals_the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the_1924978.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The purpose of our lives is to find the purpose of our lives.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our real journey in life is interior.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/thomas-merton-231_conformity_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-126_1269301.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/thomas-merton-231_conformity_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-126_1269301.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/585/thomas-merton-231_conformity_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-126_1269301.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our real journey in life is interior.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all by living.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the other… The whole purpose of life is to live by love.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-whole-idea-of-compassion-is-based-on-a-keen-awareness-of-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-whole-idea-of-compassion-is-based-on_1471565.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-whole-idea-of-compassion-is-based-on_1471565.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-whole-idea-of-compassion-is-based-on_1471565.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the other… The whole purpose of life is to live…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Life is not accomplishing some special work but attaining to a degree of consciousness and inner freedom which is beyond all works and attainments.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/life-is-not-accomplishing-some-special-work-but-attaining-to-a-degree/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/thomas-merton-231_attainment_life-is-not-accomplishing-some-special-w_1558509.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/thomas-merton-231_attainment_life-is-not-accomplishing-some-special-w_1558509.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/823/thomas-merton-231_attainment_life-is-not-accomplishing-some-special-w_1558509.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Life is not accomplishing some special work but attaining to a degree of consciousness and inner freedom…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want to have a spiritual life you must unify your life. A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-want-to-have-a-spiritual-life-you-must-unify-your-life-a-life/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/thomas-merton-231_ifs_if-you-want-to-have-a-spiritual-life-you_1536301.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/thomas-merton-231_ifs_if-you-want-to-have-a-spiritual-life-you_1536301.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e73/thomas-merton-231_ifs_if-you-want-to-have-a-spiritual-life-you_1536301.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you want to have a spiritual life you must unify your life. A life is either all spiritual or not…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The meaning of life is found in openness to being and \"being present\" in full awareness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-meaning-of-life-is-found-in-openness-to-being-and-being-present/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-meaning-of-life-is-found-in-openness_141606.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-meaning-of-life-is-found-in-openness_141606.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/thomas-merton-231_awareness_the-meaning-of-life-is-found-in-openness_141606.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The meaning of life is found in openness to being and \"being present\" in full awareness.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our whole life is a meditation of our last decision - the only decision that matters.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/our-whole-life-is-a-meditation-of-our-last-decision-the-only-decision/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/thomas-merton-231_decision_our-whole-life-is-a-meditation-of-our-la_1268974.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/thomas-merton-231_decision_our-whole-life-is-a-meditation-of-our-la_1268974.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/thomas-merton-231_decision_our-whole-life-is-a-meditation-of-our-la_1268974.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our whole life is a meditation of our last decision - the only decision that matters.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-spiritual-life-is-first-of-all-a-life-it-is-not-merely-something/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/thomas-merton-231_firsts_the-spiritual-life-is-first-of-all-a-lif_2904796.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/thomas-merton-231_firsts_the-spiritual-life-is-first-of-all-a-lif_2904796.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47a/thomas-merton-231_firsts_the-spiritual-life-is-first-of-all-a-lif_2904796.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life, is a continual discovery of Christ in new and unexpected places.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-christian-life-and-especially-the-contemplative-life-is-a/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/324/thomas-merton-231_christ_the-christian-life-and-especially-the-co_1555967.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Christian life, and especially the contemplative life, is a continual discovery of Christ in new and…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Living is not thinking. Thought is formed and guided by objective reality outside us. Living is the constant adjustment of thought to life and life to thought in such a way that we are always growing, always experiencing new things in the old and old things in the new. Thus life is always new.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/living-is-not-thinking-thought-is-formed-and-guided-by-objective/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/thomas-merton-231_constant_living-is-not-thinking-thought-is-formed_2597531.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/thomas-merton-231_constant_living-is-not-thinking-thought-is-formed_2597531.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de5/thomas-merton-231_constant_living-is-not-thinking-thought-is-formed_2597531.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Living is not thinking. Thought is formed and guided by objective reality outside us. Living is the constant…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our real journey in life is interior; It is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts. Never was it more necessary to respond to that action.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-it-is-a-matter-of-growth/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/thomas-merton-231_action_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-it_3203641.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/thomas-merton-231_action_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-it_3203641.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/574/thomas-merton-231_action_our-real-journey-in-life-is-interior-it_3203641.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our real journey in life is interior; It is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My life is ... a mystery which I do not attempt to really understand, as though 1 were led by the hand in a night where I see nothing, but can fully depend on the love and protection of Him who guides me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/my-life-is-a-mystery-which-i-do-not-attempt-to-really-understand-as/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c53/thomas-merton-231_action_my-life-is-a-mystery-which-i-do-not-atte_966502.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c53/thomas-merton-231_action_my-life-is-a-mystery-which-i-do-not-atte_966502.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c53/thomas-merton-231_action_my-life-is-a-mystery-which-i-do-not-atte_966502.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My life is ... a mystery which I do not attempt to really understand, as though 1 were led by the hand in a…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 14, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the most important-and most neglected-elements in the beginning of the interior life is the ability to respond to reality, to see the value and the beauty in ordinary things, to come alive to the splendour that is all around us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/one-of-the-most-important-and-most-neglected-elements-in-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/thomas-merton-231_ability_one-of-the-most-important-and-most-negle_1244920.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/thomas-merton-231_ability_one-of-the-most-important-and-most-negle_1244920.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28a/thomas-merton-231_ability_one-of-the-most-important-and-most-negle_1244920.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One of the most important-and most neglected-elements in the beginning of the interior life is the ability…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 15, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the strange laws of the contemplative life is that in it you do not sit down and solve problems: you bear with them until they somehow solve themselves. Or until life solves them for you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contemplative-life-is-that-in-it-you/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/thomas-merton-231_bears_one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contempla_722974.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/thomas-merton-231_bears_one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contempla_722974.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/thomas-merton-231_bears_one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contempla_722974.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One of the strange laws of the contemplative life is that in it you do not sit down and solve problems: you…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 16, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-on-the-brink-of-disaster-because-we-do-not-know-how-to-let/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14a/thomas-merton-231_contradiction_we-live-on-the-brink-of-disaster-because_2089370.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14a/thomas-merton-231_contradiction_we-live-on-the-brink-of-disaster-because_2089370.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14a/thomas-merton-231_contradiction_we-live-on-the-brink-of-disaster-because_2089370.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 17, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If our life is poured out in useless words, we will never hear anything, never become anything, and in the end, because we have said everything before we had anything to say, we shall be left speechless at the moment of our greatest decision.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-our-life-is-poured-out-in-useless-words-we-will-never-hear/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/thomas-merton-231_decision_if-our-life-is-poured-out-in-useless-wor_2970142.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/thomas-merton-231_decision_if-our-life-is-poured-out-in-useless-wor_2970142.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/thomas-merton-231_decision_if-our-life-is-poured-out-in-useless-wor_2970142.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If our life is poured out in useless words, we will never hear anything, never become anything, and in the…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 18, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no greater disaster in the spiritual life than to be immersed in unreality, for life is maintained and nourished in us by our vital relation with realities outside and above us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/there-is-no-greater-disaster-in-the-spiritual-life-than-to-be/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/thomas-merton-231_disaster_there-is-no-greater-disaster-in-the-spir_1889582.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/thomas-merton-231_disaster_there-is-no-greater-disaster-in-the-spir_1889582.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/thomas-merton-231_disaster_there-is-no-greater-disaster-in-the-spir_1889582.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no greater disaster in the spiritual life than to be immersed in unreality, for life is maintained…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 19, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In general, it can be said that no contemplative life is possible without ascetic self-discipline. One must learn to survive without the habit-forming luxuries which get such a hold on men today. I do not say that to be a contemplative one absolutely has to go without smoking or without alcohol, but certainly one must be able to use these things without being dominated by an uncontrolled need for them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contemplative-life-is-possible/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f8/thomas-merton-231_able_in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contem_1221387.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f8/thomas-merton-231_able_in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contem_1221387.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6f8/thomas-merton-231_able_in-general-it-can-be-said-that-no-contem_1221387.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In general, it can be said that no contemplative life is possible without ascetic self-discipline. One must…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 20, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everything in modern city life is calculated to keep man from entering into himself and thinking about spiritual things. Even with the best of intentions a spiritual man finds himself exhausted and deadened and debased by the constant noise of machines and loudspeakers, the dead air and the glaring lights of offices and shops, the everlasting suggestion of advertising and propaganda. The whole mechanism of modern life is geared for a flight from God and from the spirit into the wilderness of neurosis.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/everything-in-modern-city-life-is-calculated-to-keep-man-from/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f30/thomas-merton-231_advertising_everything-in-modern-city-life-is-calcul_1350918.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f30/thomas-merton-231_advertising_everything-in-modern-city-life-is-calcul_1350918.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f30/thomas-merton-231_advertising_everything-in-modern-city-life-is-calcul_1350918.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Everything in modern city life is calculated to keep man from entering into himself and thinking about…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 21, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What is 'grace'? It is God's own life, shared by us. God's life is love. Deus caritas est. By grace we are able to share in the infinitely selfless love of Him Who is such pure actuality that He needs nothing and therefore cannot conceivably exploit anything for selfish ends. Indeed, outside of Him there is nothing, and whatever exists exists by His free gift of its being, so that one of the notions that is absolutely contradictory to the perfection of God is selfishness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/what-is-grace-it-is-god-s-own-life-shared-by-us-god-s-life-is-love/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/thomas-merton-231_able_what-is-grace-it-is-god-s-own-life-share_2935854.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/thomas-merton-231_able_what-is-grace-it-is-god-s-own-life-share_2935854.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/thomas-merton-231_able_what-is-grace-it-is-god-s-own-life-share_2935854.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is 'grace'? It is God's own life, shared by us. God's life is love. Deus caritas est. By grace we are…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 22, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of a certain type of Christian thought has seriously impaired this capacity, which nonviolence must recover.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/thomas-merton-231_alternatives_the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-soc_26190.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/thomas-merton-231_alternatives_the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-soc_26190.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9a/thomas-merton-231_alternatives_the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-soc_26190.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 23, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reasoning and analysis, but first of all by living. For until we have begun to live our prudence has no material to work on. And until we have begun to fail we have no way of working out our success.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_2666291.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_2666291.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec5/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_2666291.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reasoning and analysis, but…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 24, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and the divine is shining through it all the time. This is not just a nice story or a fable, it is true.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/life-is-this-simple-we-are-living-in-a-world-that-is-absolutely/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/thomas-merton-231_divine_life-is-this-simple-we-are-living-in-a-w_2751696.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/thomas-merton-231_divine_life-is-this-simple-we-are-living-in-a-w_2751696.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efb/thomas-merton-231_divine_life-is-this-simple-we-are-living-in-a-w_2751696.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and the divine is shining…” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/", "name": "Life is Quotes by Thomas Merton", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/453/thomas-merton-231_goals_the-purpose-of-our-lives-is-to-find-the_1924978.jpg" }, "description": "24 Life is quotes by Thomas Merton. Plus more from Thomas Merton and more Life is sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Life Is", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Thomas Merton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/thomas-merton/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```