Anguish Quote by Thomas Merton
“As long as we are on earth, the love that unites us will bring us suffering by our very contact with one another, because this love is the resetting of a body of broken bones. Even saints cannot live with saints on this earth without some anguish. There are two things which men can do about the pain of disunion with other men. They can love or they can hate.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton, 1948
Human love inevitably causes pain because it exposes our vulnerabilities and brokenness, leading to both unity and suffering.
In simple terms: Love brings both connection and pain.
Key Takeaway
Accept love’s dual nature.
Themes
love
pain
humanity
spirituality
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- relationships
- community building
- spiritual practice
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
existentialism
interpersonal dynamics
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance love’s joy and its pain?
- Can suffering be a path to deeper connection?
A Different Perspective
Even love can cause deep hurt, making harmony hard.
