Happiness Quote by Thomas Merton
““Leaving Things Alone (excerpt) Too much pleasure? Yang has too much influence. Too much suffering? Yin has too much influence. When one of these outweighs the other, it is as if the seasons came at the wrong times. The balance of cold and heat is destroyed; the body of man suffers. Too much happiness, too much unhappiness, out of due time, men are thrown off balance. What will they do next? Thought runs wild. No control. They start everything, finish nothing. Here competition begins, here the idea of excellence is born, and robbers appear in the world.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Wisdom of the Unquiet Heart, Thomas Merton, 1972
Excessive extremes of pleasure or suffering disrupt natural balance, leading to chaos and loss of purpose; moderation restores harmony.
In simple terms: Too much of either joy or pain throws life off balance.
Key Takeaway
Seek equilibrium and avoid extremes.
Themes
balance
moderation
well‑being
Mood
thoughtful
calm
Type
philosophical
self‑help
When to use this quote
- stress management
- dietary habits
- work‑life balance
- emotional regulation
Key Concepts
yin yang
homeostasis
excess
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- What areas of your life are out of balance?
- How can you cultivate moderation?
A Different Perspective
Extreme focus on one side can ignore necessary dualities, causing new problems.
