We refuse love, and reject society, in so far as it seems, in our own perverse imagination, to imply some obscure kind… — Thomas Merton Humiliation Copy Share Image
A humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even himself, since perfect humility implies… — Thomas Merton Afraid of failure Copy Share Image
Spread abroad the name of Jesus in humility and with a meek heart; show him your feebleness, and he will become your… — Thomas Merton Heart Copy Share Image
There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun. — Thomas Merton Esteem Copy Share Image
“We have what we seek. We don't have to rush after it. It was there all the time, and if we give… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not for what they say. — Thomas Merton Brother Copy Share Image
On Pride: This sickness is most dangerous when it succeeds in looking like humility. When a proud man thinks he is humble… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
...love triumphs, at least in this life, not by eliminating evil once for all, but by resisting and overcoming it anew every… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
Do not be too quick to assume your enemy is a savage just because he is your enemy. Perhaps he is your… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
Our technological society has no longer any place in it for wisdom that seeks truth for its own sake, that seeks the… — Thomas Merton Action Copy Share Image
Keeping a journal has taught me that there is not so much new in your life as you sometimes think. When you… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
Surrender your own poverty and acknowledge your nothingness to the Lord. Whether you understand it or not, God loves you, is present… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in… — Thomas Merton Being hurt Copy Share Image
The logic of the poet - that is, the logic of language or the experience itself - develops the way a living… — Thomas Merton Biology Copy Share Image
The monk in hiding himself from the world becomes not less than himself, not less of a person, but more of a… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
“Mere sitting at home and meditating on the divine presence is not enough for our time. We have to come to the… — Thomas Merton Catholicism Copy Share Image
At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by illusion, a point of pure truth, a… — Thomas Merton Absolutes Copy Share Image
“There was to be nothing special about it, nothing that savored of a religious Order, no special rule, no distinctive habit. She,… — Thomas Merton Christian life Copy Share Image
“The truth is, that the concept of God which I had always entertained, and which I had accused Christians of teaching to… — Thomas Merton Christianity Copy Share Image
If it so happened that I had once written a best-seller, this was a pure accident, due to inattention and naivete, and… — Thomas Merton Accidents Copy Share Image
We too often forget that faith is a matter of questioning and struggle before it becomes one of certitude and peace. You… — Thomas Merton Battle Copy Share Image
You must realize that it is the ordinary way of God's dealings with us that our ideas do not work out speedily… — Thomas Merton Absurd Copy Share Image
Perhaps peace is not, after all, something you work for, or 'fight for.' It is indeed 'fighting for peace' that starts all… — Thomas Merton Cold Copy Share Image
“For it had become evident to me that I was a great rebel. I fancied that I had suddenly risen above all… — Thomas Merton Failure Copy Share Image
Stop asking yourself questions that have no meaning. Or if they have, you'll find out when you need to -- find out… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
My God, I pray better to you by breathing and walking than by talking, just as in choir I sing best when… — Thomas Merton Breathing Copy Share Image
Be human in this most inhuman of ages; guard the image of man for it is the image of God. — Thomas Merton Age Copy Share Image
Everybody has an instinctive desire to do good things and avoid evil. But that desire is sterile as long as we have… — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
There is in all visible things an invisible fecundity, a dimmed light, a meek namelessness, a hidden wholeness. — Thomas Merton Inspirational Copy Share Image
“For although he is right with us and in and out of us and all through us, we have to go on… — Thomas Merton Journey Copy Share Image
The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all… — Thomas Merton Analysis Copy Share Image
Ash Wednesday is full of joy...The source of all sorrow is the illusion that of ourselves we are anything but dust. — Thomas Merton Ash wednesday Copy Share Image
Sincerity must be bought at a price: the humility to recognize our innumerable errors, and fidelity in tirelessly setting them right. — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
The real reason why so few men believe in God is that they have ceased to believe that even a God can… — Thomas Merton Atheism Copy Share Image
People are in a hurry to magnify themselves by imitating what is popular- and too lazy to think of anything better. — Thomas Merton Copy Share Image
Contemplative living is living in true relationship with oneself, God, others and nature, free of the illusions of separateness. — Thomas Merton Contemplative Copy Share Image
“The love of pleasure is destined by its very nature to defeat itself and end in frustration.” — Thomas Merton Love Copy Share Image
In humility is the greatest freedom. As long as you have to defend the imaginary self that you think is important, you… — Thomas Merton Freedom Copy Share Image
To find love I must enter into the sanctuary where it is hidden, which is the mystery of God. — Thomas Merton Finding love Copy Share Image
Now anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity. It is the fruit of unanswered questions. But questions cannot go unanswered unless they… — Thomas Merton Anxiety Copy Share Image
