--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every one of us is shadowed by an…" description: "\"Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false Self. We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/thomas-merton-231_cherish_every-one-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illuso_1280805.jpg" --- # Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false… ![“Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false Self. We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ourselves.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/thomas-merton-231_cherish_every-one-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illuso_1280805.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/thomas-merton-231_cherish_every-one-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illuso_1280805.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/398/thomas-merton-231_cherish_every-one-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illuso_1280805.jpg) > “Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false Self. We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ourselves.” [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. We are often unaware of the constructed identity we cling to, mistaking it for our true self. **In simple terms:** We hide behind a false self we don’t recognize. Key Takeaway Question your self‑image. Themes identity self‑deception awareness Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - therapy - mindfulness practice - relationship building Key Concepts psychology philosophy spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of your self‑image are imagined? - How does recognizing illusion affect your relationships? A Different Perspective The false self can be comforting, making change painful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish/) [False Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-self-247601/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Illusions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusions/) [Illusory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusory/) [Illusory Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusory-person-2789316/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Recognizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognizing/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Shadowed Illusory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadowed-illusory-2789317/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Very good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very-good/) ## Related quotes > [“EVERY one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false self. This is the man that I want myself to be but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/every-one-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illusory-person-a-false-self-this/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Everyone of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false self..We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/everyone-of-us-is-shadowed-by-an-illusory-person-a-false-self-we-are/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“When the light of God's truth begins to find its way through the mists of illusion and self-deception with which we have unconsciously surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/when-the-light-of-god-s-truth-begins-to-find-its-way-through-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [But deepest of all illusory Appearances, for hiding Wonder, as for many other ends, are your two grand fundamental world-enveloping Appearances, SPACE and TIME.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/but-deepest-of-all-illusory-appearances-for-hiding-wonder-as-for-many/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [...perhaps the hopes I have confessed to are of an illusory nature, too. 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Your true self doesn't go up or down, it's constant - it's a rock.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/your-false-self-is-always-that-which-is-passing-away-your-true-self/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [To get at the truth of your calling, you have to crack open that false self and see what lies within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justine-musk/to-get-at-the-truth-of-your-calling-you-have-to-crack-open-that-false/) [Justine Musk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justine-musk/) > [The real self is who you are when you're at home, when you're comfortable, and the false self is what you're pretending - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-clementine/the-real-self-is-who-you-are-when-you-re-at-home-when-you-re/) [Benjamin Clementine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-clementine/) > [“A toxically shamed person is divided within himself and must create a false-self cover-up to hide his sense of being flawed and defective. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/a-toxically-shamed-person-is-divided-within-himself-and-must-create-a/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) ## 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. 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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 Cherish quotes > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [They say that the commons of England would first destroy the king's friends and afterward himself, and then bring the Duke of York to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-cade/they-say-that-the-commons-of-england-would-first-destroy-the-king-s/) [Jack Cade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-cade/) > [I am simply looking for a companion with whom to spend my days, a companion who will cherish as much as I the stupidity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-julavits/i-am-simply-looking-for-a-companion-with-whom-to-spend-my-days-a/) [Heidi Julavits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-julavits/) > [The longer you are in acting business, the more you cherish the times when you're working with people that do great work, and can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-bakula/the-longer-you-are-in-acting-business-the-more-you-cherish-the-times/) [Scott Bakula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-bakula/) > [Being in a Woody Allen film. I cherish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-posey/being-in-a-woody-allen-film-i-cherish-it/) [Parker Posey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parker-posey/) > [Hold tenderly that which you cherish, for it is precious and a tight grip may crush it. Do not let the fear of dropping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-alberti/hold-tenderly-that-which-you-cherish-for-it-is-precious-and-a-tight/) [Bob Alberti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-alberti/) > [I cherish my clothes and I remember what seasons they're from. But someone said to me as I was having trouble with styling a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hudson/i-cherish-my-clothes-and-i-remember-what-seasons-they-re-from-but/) [Kate Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hudson/) > [You never know what's going to happen so just enjoy the moments that you have with the people you love and cherish them. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-grammer/you-never-know-what-s-going-to-happen-so-just-enjoy-the-moments-that/) [Camille Grammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-grammer/) > [Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-ensler/cherish-your-solitude-take-trains-by-yourself-to-places-you-have/) [Eve Ensler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-ensler/) > [I keep a lot to myself, and I cherish the things that are for me and the people closest to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-oakley/i-keep-a-lot-to-myself-and-i-cherish-the-things-that-are-for-me-and/) [Tyler Oakley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-oakley/) > [We must understand that God does not "love" us without liking us - through gritted teeth - as "Christian" love is sometimes thought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/we-must-understand-that-god-does-not-love-us-without-liking-us/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [ For some unknown reason, this \[antiabortion\] branch of Christianity cherishes the unborn and hates the living person. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vine-deloria-jr/for-some-unknown-reason-this-antiabortion-branch-of-christianity/) [Vine Deloria Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vine-deloria-jr/) > [I want to say unequivocally that while I cherish every person who comes from anywhere, who comes here legally and seeks to pursue happiness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/i-want-to-say-unequivocally-that-while-i-cherish-every-person-who/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [“What makes you cherish is what often makes others perish”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/what-makes-you-cherish-is-what-often-makes-others-perish/) [P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-s-jagadeesh-kumar/) > [The lesson learned: Never take your loved ones for granted. And if you’re ever lucky enough to find that one person in life who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-lesson-learned-never-take-your-loved-ones-for-granted-and-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 1,279 Cherish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false Self. 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