Burning Quote by Thomas Merton
“The desire to kill is like the desire to attack another with an ingot of red -hot iron: I have to pick up the incandescent metal and burn my own hand while burning the other. Hate itself is the seed of death in my own heart, while it seeks the death of the other.”
About This Quote
The quote illustrates how hatred harms both the hater and the target, likening the impulse to kill to handling scorching metal that burns the holder as well as the victim.
In simple terms: Hate self‑destructs while destroying others.
Key Takeaway
Hate is a self‑inflicted wound.
Themes
self‑destruction
emotional pain
moral conflict
violence
psychology
Mood
somber
introspective
cautionary
Type
philosophical
moral
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal conflict
- interpersonal betrayal
- ideological rivalry
- revenge scenarios
Key Concepts
hate
self‑harm
aggression
moral awareness
Practical Applications
- counseling on anger management
- ethical training on non‑violence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing the self‑harm of hate alter one's actions?
- Can hatred ever be justified without self‑destruction?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that hatred can motivate positive change when channeled, but it still risks self‑damage.
![“But, did the Divinity [of Christ] suffer? [...] The holy fathers explained this point through the aforementioned clear example of the red-hot iron, it is the analogy equated for the Divine Nature which became united with the human nature. They explained that when the blacksmith strikes the red-hot…” quote by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/03c/pope-shenouda-iii-of-alexandri_analogies_but-did-the-divinity-of-christ-suffer-th_670765.jpg)
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
