--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The solution of the problem of life is…" description: "\"The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all by living.\" — Thomas Merton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg" --- # The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life… ![“The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all by living.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg) > “The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all by living.” [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. Life's meaning is found in lived experience, not abstract reasoning. **In simple terms:** Live to understand life. Key Takeaway Embrace lived experience. Themes existence experience spirituality Mood reflective contemplative Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual practice - daily mindfulness Key Concepts phenomenology embodied knowledge Questions to Reflect On - How do you embody your values daily? - What does "living" mean to you? A Different Perspective Pure analysis cannot capture lived reality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Analysis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analysis/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reasoning and analysis, but first of all by living.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not-2/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Life is not attained by reasoning and analysis but first of all by living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/life-is-not-attained-by-reasoning-and-analysis-but-first-of-all-by/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The 'life' in 'pro-life' denotes not the quality of life, but life itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shimkus/the-life-in-pro-life-denotes-not-the-quality-of-life-but-life-itself/) [John Shimkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shimkus/) > [You get towards the end of life - no, not life itself, but of something else: the end of any likelihood of change in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/you-get-towards-the-end-of-life-no-not-life-itself-but-of-something/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [Your life should be the most important thing to You…Value your life and cherish it always Coz the gift of life is Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/your-life-should-be-the-most-important-thing-to-you-value-your-life/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Each time you find your self in a corner to shed some tears, think of how God speared your life! Life itself is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/each-time-you-find-your-self-in-a-corner-to-shed-some-tears-think-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For Lou Ann, life itself was a life-threatening enterprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/for-lou-ann-life-itself-was-a-life-threatening-enterprise/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [The most uncertain thing in life is life itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/girish-choudhary/the-most-uncertain-thing-in-life-is-life-itself/) Girish Choudhary > [I have always preferred the reflection of the life to life itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-truffaut/i-have-always-preferred-the-reflection-of-the-life-to-life-itself/) [Francois Truffaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-truffaut/) > [The best thing you can depend your life upon is your life itself, not on anything in the world that is vanity and temporal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaze-olamiday/the-best-thing-you-can-depend-your-life-upon-is-your-life-itself-not/) [Blaze Olamiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaze-olamiday/) > [And what can life be worth if the first rehearsal for life is life itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/and-what-can-life-be-worth-if-the-first-rehearsal-for-life-is-life/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [A well-thought-out story doesn’t need to resemble real life. Life itself tries with all its might to resemble a well-crafted story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-babel/a-well-thought-out-story-doesn-t-need-to-resemble-real-life-life/) [Isaac Babel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-babel/) > [Life is only traveled once; todays moment becomes tomorrows memory. Enjoy every moment, good or bad, because the GIFT of LIFE is LIFE itself¦](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-only-traveled-once-todays-moment-becomes-tomorrows-memory/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Life itself is a gift. It's a compliment just being born: to feel, breathe, think, play, dance, sing, work, make love, for this particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-rose-kingma/life-itself-is-a-gift-it-s-a-compliment-just-being-born-to-feel/) [Daphne Rose Kingma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-rose-kingma/) > [Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/listen-to-your-life-see-it-for-the-fathomless-mystery-it-is-in-the/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) ## 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 Analysis quotes > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work-give-me/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Combining the experience of a seasoned university president with the analysis of a respected legal scholar, Derek Bok explores what he concludes are 'signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-h-t-rhodes/combining-the-experience-of-a-seasoned-university-president-with-the/) Frank H. T. Rhodes > [International friendly games are not worth the lives of the silk worms who perish to make the pennants. They do not even have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-baker/international-friendly-games-are-not-worth-the-lives-of-the-silk/) [Danny Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-baker/) > [Demographically, I'm a hippie from San Francisco and I'm not culturally inclined to be sympathetic to states' rights. My cultural heritage is FDR and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/demographically-i-m-a-hippie-from-san-francisco-and-i-m-not/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [Democracy is not being well served as we're accustomed to. There is less information, there's less investigation, there's less analysis, there's less accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-greenspon/democracy-is-not-being-well-served-as-we-re-accustomed-to-there-is/) Edward Greenspon > [As long as the human race is able to concern itself with more than mere survival, soccer will have its place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/as-long-as-the-human-race-is-able-to-concern-itself-with-more-than/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The capitalistic social order, therefore, is an economic democracy in the strictest sense of the word. In the last analysis, all decisions are dependent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/the-capitalistic-social-order-therefore-is-an-economic-democracy-in/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [“You will do one of two things as soon as you’ve exhausted what you can determine mathematically in the case: (1) Refine your hypothesis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cheng/you-will-do-one-of-two-things-as-soon-as-you-ve-exhausted-what-you/) [Victor Cheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cheng/) > [Atheism Explained is a gem. It is clear, informative, well-argued, provocative, often witty, and unfailingly interesting. David Ramsay Steele ranges over so many issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-shearmur/atheism-explained-is-a-gem-it-is-clear-informative-well-argued/) Jeremy Shearmur > [Class is entirely intangible, and the way it affects things isn't subject to scientific analysis, and it's not supposed to be real but it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-walton/class-is-entirely-intangible-and-the-way-it-affects-things-isn-t/) [Jo Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-walton/) > [I've always made my decisions based on two factors: intellectual analysis and my gut. And when they meet, that's a go from me. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ovitz/i-ve-always-made-my-decisions-based-on-two-factors-intellectual/) [Michael Ovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ovitz/) > [Analysis of opponents is something I like doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/analysis-of-opponents-is-something-i-like-doing/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/what-matters-supremely-therefore-is-not-in-the-last-analysis-the-fact/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [We are well aware that he spent many hours recently tape recording various messages... we need to do a little more analysis of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-hoon/we-are-well-aware-that-he-spent-many-hours-recently-tape-recording/) [Geoff Hoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-hoon/) [Browse all 1,547 Analysis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analysis/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of all by living.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Analysis" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/thomas-merton-231_analysis_the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-l_518427.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The solution of the problem of life is life itself. Life is not attained by reason and analysis but first of…” — 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": "The solution of the problem of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-solution-of-the-problem-of-life-is-life-itself-life-is-not/#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 } } ] } ```