--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The question of love is one that cannot…" description: "\"The question of love is one that cannot be evaded. Whether or not you claim to be interested in it from the moment you are alive you are bound to be co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/thomas-merton-231_alive_the-question-of-love-is-one-that-cannot_2577280.jpg" --- # The question of love is one that cannot be evaded. Whether… ![“The question of love is one that cannot be evaded. Whether or not you claim to be interested in it from the moment you are alive you are bound to be concerned with love because love is not just something that happens to you: It is a certain special way of being alive. Love is in fact an…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/thomas-merton-231_alive_the-question-of-love-is-one-that-cannot_2577280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/thomas-merton-231_alive_the-question-of-love-is-one-that-cannot_2577280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ada/thomas-merton-231_alive_the-question-of-love-is-one-that-cannot_2577280.jpg) > “The question of love is one that cannot be evaded. Whether or not you claim to be interested in it from the moment you are alive you are bound to be concerned with love because love is not just something that happens to you: It is a certain special way of being alive. Love is in fact an intensification of life a completeness a fullness a wholeness of life.” [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. Love is an essential, intensifying force that defines existence, making life feel complete and whole. **In simple terms:** Love intensifies life, making it feel whole. Key Takeaway Embrace love as a core part of living. Themes love existence wholeness Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationships - personal growth - spiritual practice - artistic creation Key Concepts intensification being purpose Questions to Reflect On - How does love shape your sense of self? - Can love exist without suffering? A Different Perspective Love can be idealized, overlooking pain or loss. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fullness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fullness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wholeness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wholeness/) ## Related quotes > [I was really dramatic, really concerned with love or life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-pell/i-was-really-dramatic-really-concerned-with-love-or-life/) [Paula Pell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-pell/) > [As far as the 'Adhugo' sequel is concerned, I would love to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-babu/as-far-as-the-adhugo-sequel-is-concerned-i-would-love-to-do-it/) [Ravi Babu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-babu/) > [As far as I'm concerned, love means fighting, big fat lies, and a couple of slaps across the face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-piaf/as-far-as-i-m-concerned-love-means-fighting-big-fat-lies-and-a-couple/) [Edith Piaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-piaf/) > [“What are you-- White people don’t do things like this. I’m sure they don’t. Stop! Please?” Alarmed by her tone, Hunter lifted his head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/what-are-you-white-people-don-t-do-things-like-this-i-m-sure-they-don/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You are sweet to be so concerned over my love life, but I’ve decided only to date guys who have bigger swords than me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-monsch/you-are-sweet-to-be-so-concerned-over-my-love-life-but-i-ve-decided/) [Danielle Monsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-monsch/) > [Do not waste time trying to overcome your weaknesses and failures. Simply raise your consciousness, transcend and free your thoughts from limitation and illusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-caddy/do-not-waste-time-trying-to-overcome-your-weaknesses-and-failures/) [Eileen Caddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-caddy/) > [“We are all made complete by our pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-are-all-made-complete-by-our-pain/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [When you come together with your other half, you immediately experience a sense of wholeness and completeness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cohen/when-you-come-together-with-your-other-half-you-immediately/) [Andrew Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cohen/) > [“She hasn’t got it all figured out...far from it, in fact. 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Because we are made for eternal life, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/there-is-something-in-the-depths-of-our-being-that-hungers-for/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [There is in all visible things an invisible fecundity, a dimmed light, a meek namelessness, a hidden wholeness. This mysterious unity and integrity is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/there-is-in-all-visible-things-an-invisible-fecundity-a-dimmed-light/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## 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. 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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 Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. 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Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The question of love is one that cannot be evaded. Whether or not you claim to be interested in it from the moment you are alive you are bound to be concerned with love because love is not just something that happens to you: It is a certain special way of being alive. 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