--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who think that they have arrived…" description: "\"Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. Those who think they are sai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/henri-nouwen-600_demon_those-who-think-that-they-have-arrived-h_693958.png" --- # Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their… ![“Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. Those who think they are saints, are demons.” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/henri-nouwen-600_demon_those-who-think-that-they-have-arrived-h_693958.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/henri-nouwen-600_demon_those-who-think-that-they-have-arrived-h_693958.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/henri-nouwen-600_demon_those-who-think-that-they-have-arrived-h_693958.png) > “Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. Those who think they are saints, are demons.” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thinking you have arrived or are perfect blinds you to ongoing growth and true humility, leading to spiritual stagnation. **In simple terms:** Believing you’re finished or flawless stops growth. Key Takeaway Stay humble and keep learning. Themes humility spiritual growth self-awareness Mood reflective serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal development - spiritual practice - leadership - teaching - counseling Key Concepts ego self-deception spiritual journey Questions to Reflect On - What signs show you’ve become complacent? - How can you cultivate humility daily? A Different Perspective Even after progress, complacency can creep in, limiting deeper insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Demon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demon/) [Demons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demons/) [Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Saints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saints/) [Saints Demons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saints-demons-5508346/) [Think Reached](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-reached-2907495/) [Think Saints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-saints-1394389/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [He who thinks that he is finished is finished. How true. Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-who-thinks-that-he-is-finished-is-finished-how-true-those-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Although we tend to think about saints as holy and pious, and picture them with halos above their heads and ecstatic gazes, true saints…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/although-we-tend-to-think-about-saints-as-holy-and-pious-and-picture/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I think that not only do saints make poor role models, they are incapable in one sense of identifying radically with those of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/i-think-that-not-only-do-saints-make-poor-role-models-they-are/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [We always think of saints as these monks or nuns or popes or priests from centuries ago who were celibate or lived very quiet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lino-rulli/we-always-think-of-saints-as-these-monks-or-nuns-or-popes-or-priests/) [Lino Rulli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lino-rulli/) > [Once I slow down because I think I have reached my peak, then my skills will go nowhere but down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/once-i-slow-down-because-i-think-i-have-reached-my-peak-then-my/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [“In those ancient rooms near the center of Belaire all our wisdom originates, born in the gossip's mind as she sits to watch the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-crowley/in-those-ancient-rooms-near-the-center-of-belaire-all-our-wisdom/) [John Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-crowley/) > [Sinners think they are saints, but saints know they are sinners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/sinners-think-they-are-saints-but-saints-know-they-are-sinners/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [“When your worst demon is yourself, no one can use it against you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emory-r-frie/when-your-worst-demon-is-yourself-no-one-can-use-it-against-you/) [Emory R. Frie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emory-r-frie/) > [Sometimes I feel like I'm possessed with a multitude of demons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/sometimes-i-feel-like-i-m-possessed-with-a-multitude-of-demons/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [“just think you can’t let your demons ruin your day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryony-gordon/just-think-you-can-t-let-your-demons-ruin-your-day/) [Bryony Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryony-gordon/) > [The demons were scary, but girls - Well, girls are really terrifying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-shan/the-demons-were-scary-but-girls-well-girls-are-really-terrifying/) [Darren Shan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-shan/) > [You face your demons doing Bikram. You challenge them, beat them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldie/you-face-your-demons-doing-bikram-you-challenge-them-beat-them/) [Goldie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldie/) > [During rehearsals I am confronted by things very mysterious. I have terrific fights with inner demons, and it's more painful than it ever was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-moreau/during-rehearsals-i-am-confronted-by-things-very-mysterious-i-have/) [Jeanne Moreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-moreau/) > [“Certain things are expected of you when you’re a demon. Take the grotesque bodies, for example. Powerful, lethal, but definitely not beauty pageant material.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-blake/certain-things-are-expected-of-you-when-you-re-a-demon-take-the/) [Samantha Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-blake/) > [“We all have our demons, I just happen to exorcise mine by writing them out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sai-marie-johnson/we-all-have-our-demons-i-just-happen-to-exorcise-mine-by-writing-them/) [Sai Marie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sai-marie-johnson/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Demon quotes > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [I believe that on any trip to heaven, there are always detours through hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-finney/i-believe-that-on-any-trip-to-heaven-there-are-always-detours-through/) [Richard Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-finney/) > [I wonder what disgusts you more, the fact that I’m a demon, or the fact that when I touch you, it doesn’t matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larissa-ione/i-wonder-what-disgusts-you-more-the-fact-that-i-m-a-demon-or-the-fact/) [Larissa Ione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larissa-ione/) > [“The demon stopped its frantic attempts to escape. It stared at the glitter and began to pant, fingers twitching in anticipation. More twitching. Faster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jana-oliver/the-demon-stopped-its-frantic-attempts-to-escape-it-stared-at-the/) [Jana Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jana-oliver/) > [“He curled his claw into a fist. "I'd like to shove a stake up that bastard's ass." Adam's lip curled. "Remind me not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaye-wells/he-curled-his-claw-into-a-fist-i-d-like-to-shove-a-stake-up-that/) [Jaye Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaye-wells/) > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I’m getting all warm and fuzzy inside at the prospect of these demon things roaming the street, preying on us. (Tate)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-m-getting-all-warm-and-fuzzy-inside-at-the-prospect-of-these-demon/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) > [Jesus never met a disease he could not cure, a birth defect he could not reverse, a demon he could not exorcise. But he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/jesus-never-met-a-disease-he-could-not-cure-a-birth-defect-he-could/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [In an attempt to hinder, if not altogether halt, the next move of God, Satan has sent forth an army of faultfinding demons against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-frangipane/in-an-attempt-to-hinder-if-not-altogether-halt-the-next-move-of-god/) [Francis Frangipane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-frangipane/) > [Having an eating disorder doesn't show ‘strength.’ Strength is when are able to overcome your demons after being sick and tired for so long.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/having-an-eating-disorder-doesn-t-show-strength-strength-is-when-are/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [I think we should be very careful about artificial intelligence. If I had to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it's probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elon-musk/i-think-we-should-be-very-careful-about-artificial-intelligence-if-i/) [Elon Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elon-musk/) > [Evil is the shadow of angel. Just as there are angels of light, support, guidance, healing and defense, so we have experiences of shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/evil-is-the-shadow-of-angel-just-as-there-are-angels-of-light-support/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [“I assure you; while I look like a ghost, I'm no spirit or demon. I'm nothing but a girl struggling to make her way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leanna-renee-hieber/i-assure-you-while-i-look-like-a-ghost-i-m-no-spirit-or-demon-i-m/) [Leanna Renee Hieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leanna-renee-hieber/) > [A rollicking good read-THE HUNTER is steampunk with a Wild West feel. Theresa Meyers is an entertaining and witty writer with a fresh, new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmine-galenorn/a-rollicking-good-read-the-hunter-is-steampunk-with-a-wild-west-feel/) [Yasmine Galenorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmine-galenorn/) [Browse all 1,462 Demon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. 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