--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A daydream is an evasion." description: "\"A daydream is an evasion.\" — Thomas Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg" --- # A daydream is an evasion. ![“A daydream is an evasion.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg) > “A daydream is an evasion.” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Daydreaming serves as a mental escape from reality, postponing engagement with real issues. **In simple terms:** Daydreams are mental escapes. Key Takeaway Limit escapism; confront reality. Themes psychology escape mindfulness creativity Mood thoughtful introspective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal productivity - stress management - creative brainstorming Key Concepts avoidance imagination temporary relief mental rehearsal Questions to Reflect On - When do you use daydreams constructively? - How can you balance imagination with responsibility? A Different Perspective Excessive daydreaming can hinder action and focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Daydream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daydream/) [Daydream Evasion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daydream-evasion-5228346/) [Evasion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evasion/) ## Related quotes > [We will also target tax evasion and off-shore tax havens... Everyone must pay their share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-osborne/we-will-also-target-tax-evasion-and-off-shore-tax-havens-everyone/) [George Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-osborne/) > [“I am the body, and I am the rocks in the pockets, and I am the water. There is no evading myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belle-townsend/i-am-the-body-and-i-am-the-rocks-in-the-pockets-and-i-am-the-water/) [Belle Townsend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belle-townsend/) > [People will say that it's some kind of evasion, but I would never want to have a kid for me. I'd want to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-northam/people-will-say-that-it-s-some-kind-of-evasion-but-i-would-never-want/) [Jeremy Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-northam/) > [Even the most cynical can hardly be surprised by the antics of Nixon and his accomplices as they are gradually revealed. It matters little,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/even-the-most-cynical-can-hardly-be-surprised-by-the-antics-of-nixon/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [All the lies and evasions by which man has nourished himself civilization, in a word is the fruits of the creative artist. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/all-the-lies-and-evasions-by-which-man-has-nourished-himself/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/when-a-child-asks-you-something-answer-him-for-goodness-sake/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) > [The evasion of responsibility is the major cause of most peoples frustrations and defeats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-evasion-of-responsibility-is-the-major-cause-of-most-peoples/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Indiscriminate tolerance and indiscriminate condemnation are not two opposites: they are two variants of the same evasion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/indiscriminate-tolerance-and-indiscriminate-condemnation-are-not-two/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [“Tony Cox, still a painter and not yet married to Yoko Ono, pioneered in the use of mescaline for draft-evasion. 400 milligrams taken before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-stafford/tony-cox-still-a-painter-and-not-yet-married-to-yoko-ono-pioneered-in/) [Peter Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-stafford/) > [“A politician often uses an example or analogy as an attempt to make us forget the question he or she is supposedly answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-politician-often-uses-an-example-or-analogy-as-an-attempt-to-make/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [For me, poetry is an evasion of the real job of writing prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/for-me-poetry-is-an-evasion-of-the-real-job-of-writing-prose/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [Objection, evasion, joyous distrust, and love of irony are signs of health; everything absolute belongs to pathology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/objection-evasion-joyous-distrust-and-love-of-irony-are-signs-of/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [There's also no doubt that tax evasion rises along with taxes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/there-s-also-no-doubt-that-tax-evasion-rises-along-with-taxes/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [The United States can certainly defeat North Vietnam, but the United States cannot defeat a guerrilla war which is being raged from a sanctuary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/the-united-states-can-certainly-defeat-north-vietnam-but-the-united/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behavior,--we make guilty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/this-is-the-excellent-foppery-of-the-world-that-when-we-are-sick-in/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-desire-to-kill-is-like-the-desire-to-attack-another-with-an-ingot/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-enter-into-the-realm-of-contemplation-one-must-in-a-certain-sense/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Things that are good are good, and if one is responding to that goodness one is in contact with a truth from which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/things-that-are-good-are-good-and-if-one-is-responding-to-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Love winter when the plant says nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/love-winter-when-the-plant-says-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“The wisdom of the flesh is a judgement that the ordinary ends of our natural appetites are the goods to which the whole of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-wisdom-of-the-flesh-is-a-judgement-that-the-ordinary-ends-of-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I will no longer wound myself with the thoughts and questions that have surrounded me like thorns: that is a penance You do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-will-no-longer-wound-myself-with-the-thoughts-and-questions-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-write-for-god-you-will-reach-many-men-and-bring-them-joy-if/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Contemplation means rest, suspension of activity, withdrawal into the mysterious interior solitude in which the soul is absorbed in the immense and fruitful silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/contemplation-means-rest-suspension-of-activity-withdrawal-into-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Explore all 851 Thomas Merton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## More Daydream quotes > [“She was always living in a daydream, and she was happy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starlight-tucker/she-was-always-living-in-a-daydream-and-she-was-happy/) [Starlight Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starlight-tucker/) > [“Keep your 'lectric eye on me babe Put your ray gun to my head Press your space face close to mine, love Freak out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/keep-your-lectric-eye-on-me-babe-put-your-ray-gun-to-my-head-press/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [“I allowed my mind to wander. I’ve found this to be a very effective way of passing the time; you take a situation or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/i-allowed-my-mind-to-wander-i-ve-found-this-to-be-a-very-effective/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/vision-without-action-is-a-daydream-action-without-vision-is-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The real thing, when done right , is always better than a daydream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/the-real-thing-when-done-right-is-always-better-than-a-daydream/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I daydream about a high school where everybody plays the harmonica: the students, the teachers, the principal, the janitor and the cook in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brautigan/i-daydream-about-a-high-school-where-everybody-plays-the-harmonica/) [Richard Brautigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brautigan/) > ['Daydream' brought us to the top of the heap of the indie-college market and recognition by all of our peers; 'Daydream' kind of capped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-ranaldo/daydream-brought-us-to-the-top-of-the-heap-of-the-indie-college/) [Lee Ranaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-ranaldo/) > [There's a lot to love about America - freedom, the melting pot of diversity, individualism - all attractive concepts, especially to an introvert. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/there-s-a-lot-to-love-about-america-freedom-the-melting-pot-of/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [“Someone tried to kill me, and I’m going swimming. I’m going swimming, because it doesn’t matter. I’m going swimming, because I don’t matter. I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lynn-barnes/someone-tried-to-kill-me-and-i-m-going-swimming-i-m-going-swimming/) [Jennifer Lynn Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lynn-barnes/) > [“Azzy bookmarked her daydream and pushed it under the bed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-rusczyk/azzy-bookmarked-her-daydream-and-pushed-it-under-the-bed/) [Lisa Rusczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-rusczyk/) > [If your vision doesn't cost you something, it's a daydream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-your-vision-doesn-t-cost-you-something-it-s-a-daydream/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > ['Moonage Daydream' is my favourite because it's an amazing pop tune with such strange parts to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/moonage-daydream-is-my-favourite-because-it-s-an-amazing-pop-tune/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [Growing up in the hot Last Vegas desert, all I wanted was to be free. I would daydream about traveling the world, living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-purdy/growing-up-in-the-hot-last-vegas-desert-all-i-wanted-was-to-be-free-i/) [Amy Purdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-purdy/) > [I wake up around noon, light a cigarette, get a cup of coffee, sit in the bathtub for an hour and daydream, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-zimmer/i-wake-up-around-noon-light-a-cigarette-get-a-cup-of-coffee-sit-in/) [Hans Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-zimmer/) > [“If I cannot fix your broken heart can I put mine in its place, because these stars are not enough, and all the money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delano-johnson/if-i-cannot-fix-your-broken-heart-can-i-put-mine-in-its-place-because/) [Delano Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delano-johnson/) [Browse all 170 Daydream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daydream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A daydream is an evasion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/a-daydream-is-an-evasion/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Daydream" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/a-daydream-is-an-evasion/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64c/thomas-merton-231_evasion_a-daydream-is-an-evasion-1452660_1452660.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A daydream is an evasion.” — Thomas Merton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Merton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A daydream is an evasion.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/a-daydream-is-an-evasion/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/a-daydream-is-an-evasion/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```