Suffering Quote by Thomas Merton
““Indeed, the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers the most: and his suffering comes to him from things so little and so trivial that one can say that it is no longer objective at all. It is his own existence, his own being, that is at once the subject and the source of his pain, and his very existence and consciousness is his greatest torture.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton, 1948
Avoiding pain creates a feedback loop where minor anxieties become overwhelming, making one's own existence the source of suffering.
In simple terms: Escaping pain makes it worse.
Key Takeaway
Face discomfort directly.
Themes
suffering
fear
self-awareness
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- therapy
- stress management
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does avoidance amplify fear?
- What small anxieties can you confront today?
A Different Perspective
Suffering can also be a catalyst for growth, not just a trap.
