--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Finally I am coming to the conclusion…" description: "\"Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself un..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b67/thomas-merton-231_accepting_finally-i-am-coming-to-the-conclusion-th_664365.jpg" --- # Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest… ![“Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself, and if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b67/thomas-merton-231_accepting_finally-i-am-coming-to-the-conclusion-th_664365.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b67/thomas-merton-231_accepting_finally-i-am-coming-to-the-conclusion-th_664365.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b67/thomas-merton-231_accepting_finally-i-am-coming-to-the-conclusion-th_664365.jpg) > “Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself, and if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself.” [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. Self‑acceptance is the gateway to transcending oneself; true growth begins with embracing who you are. **In simple terms:** Accept yourself fully to surpass yourself. Key Takeaway Embrace self‑acceptance for personal growth. Themes spirituality self‑development humility Mood contemplative hopeful Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - personal reflection - spiritual retreats - journaling - therapy Key Concepts self‑realization inner peace growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to accept yourself fully? - How can acceptance fuel further growth? A Different Perspective Self‑acceptance may lead to complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambition Fulfill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition-fulfill-5287916/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Fulfill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfill/) [Fulfill Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfill-obligation-3514325/) [Highest Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest-ambition-1106600/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [“We each must fulfill our own obligation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-t-vollmann/we-each-must-fulfill-our-own-obligation/) [William T. Vollmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-t-vollmann/) > [Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/finally-i-am-coming-to-the-conclusion-that-my-highest-ambition-is-to-3/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [In my relationship with God, I've learned that if I follow a 'formula' for how I spend my time with Him, then I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/in-my-relationship-with-god-i-ve-learned-that-if-i-follow-a-formula/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. —Journal of Thomas Merton”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/finally-i-am-coming-to-the-conclusion-that-my-highest-ambition-is-to-2/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [You have to choose the best, every day, without compromise...guided by your own virtue and highest ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-have-to-choose-the-best-every-day-without-compromise-guided-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our highest ambition is to be included in the stream of American life, to be permitted to "play the game" as any other American;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-himes/our-highest-ambition-is-to-be-included-in-the-stream-of-american-life/) [Chester Himes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-himes/) > [All should be taught that the highest ambition is to be happy, and to add to the well-being of others; that place and power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-should-be-taught-that-the-highest-ambition-is-to-be-happy-and-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-should-be-the-highest-ambition-of-every-american-to-extend-his/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/to-do-something-however-small-to-make-others-happier-and-better-is/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [“Unfortunately, here as elsewhere on this touching planet, imitation is the watchword and prestige the highest ambition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/unfortunately-here-as-elsewhere-on-this-touching-planet-imitation-is/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [“Not in order to justify, but simply in order to explain my lack of consistency, I say: Look at my present life and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/not-in-order-to-justify-but-simply-in-order-to-explain-my-lack-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [We too often forget that faith is a matter of questioning and struggle before it becomes one of certitude and peace. You have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-too-often-forget-that-faith-is-a-matter-of-questioning-and/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I miss my kids, and they miss me. It's very difficult, but I have to do it for my country and fulfill my dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kom/i-miss-my-kids-and-they-miss-me-it-s-very-difficult-but-i-have-to-do/) [Mary Kom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kom/) > [Move away from the things that drain you and move toward those things that empower and fulfill you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/move-away-from-the-things-that-drain-you-and-move-toward-those-things/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) ## 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 Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. 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I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. 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