--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The earthly desires men cherish are…" description: "\"“The earthly desires men cherish are shadows. There is no true happiness in fulfilling them. Why, then, do we continue to pursue joys without substance..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/thomas-merton-231_desire_the-earthly-desires-men-cherish-are-shad_505232.jpg" --- # The earthly desires men cherish are shadows. There is no… ![“The earthly desires men cherish are shadows. There is no true happiness in fulfilling them. Why, then, do we continue to pursue joys without substance? Because the pursuit itself has become our only substitute for joy. Unable to rest in anything we achieve, we determine to forget our discontent in…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/thomas-merton-231_desire_the-earthly-desires-men-cherish-are-shad_505232.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/thomas-merton-231_desire_the-earthly-desires-men-cherish-are-shad_505232.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/thomas-merton-231_desire_the-earthly-desires-men-cherish-are-shad_505232.jpg) > ““The earthly desires men cherish are shadows. There is no true happiness in fulfilling them. Why, then, do we continue to pursue joys without substance? Because the pursuit itself has become our only substitute for joy. Unable to rest in anything we achieve, we determine to forget our discontent in a ceaseless quest for new satisfactions. In this pursuit, desire itself becomes our chief satisfaction.”” [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. Desires are fleeting shadows; true happiness isn’t found in their fulfillment, yet we chase them as a substitute for joy. **In simple terms:** Chasing desires doesn’t bring lasting happiness. Key Takeaway Seek deeper fulfillment beyond fleeting wants. Themes desire happiness meaning spirituality Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - consumer habits - relationship goals - spiritual practice Key Concepts philosophy psychology theology Questions to Reflect On - What deeper purpose can replace endless desire? - How can you find contentment without constant new goals? A Different Perspective Constant pursuit can create endless dissatisfaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desires/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [True happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-happiness/) ## Related quotes > [Buddhism - Tibetan Buddhism - teaches us many things, peace comes from within, we must be free ourselves from earthly desires...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sagal/buddhism-tibetan-buddhism-teaches-us-many-things-peace-comes-from/) [Peter Sagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sagal/) > [“All earthly desires are but streams, but God is the ocean. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathon-edwards/all-earthly-desires-are-but-streams-but-god-is-the-ocean/) Jonathon Edwards > [By an increase in anger, warfare arises. By an increase of greed, famine arises. 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