--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We live in a society whose whole policy…" description: "\"We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve in the human body and keep it at the highest pitch of artificial tension, to strain ev..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg" --- # We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every… ![“We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve in the human body and keep it at the highest pitch of artificial tension, to strain every human desire to the limit and create as many new desires and synthetic passions as possible, in” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg) > “We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve in the human body and keep it at the highest pitch of artificial tension, to strain every human desire to the limit and create as many new desires and synthetic passions as possible, in” [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. Modern culture constantly stimulates us, creating endless artificial desires and pressures. **In simple terms:** Society fuels constant artificial desire. Key Takeaway Beware of manufactured cravings. Themes consumerism stress artificial desire modernity Mood reflective critical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - marketing - social media - advertising - personal well‑being Key Concepts psychology media influence Questions to Reflect On - Do you recognize synthetic vs. authentic needs? - How can you reduce unnecessary tension? A Different Perspective Not all stimulation is harmful; some can inspire growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Human body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-body/) [Human Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-desire-460610/) [Live Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-society-327513/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Policy Excite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy-excite-4370934/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Society Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-policy-2765465/) [Synthetic Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/synthetic-passions-4370933/) ## Related quotes > [We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve in the human body and keep it at the highest pitch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy-is-to-excite-every-nerve-in/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [An initiative was essentially led by civil society because the policy of the government was that Africans must not be taught to graze in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/an-initiative-was-essentially-led-by-civil-society-because-the-policy/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [We live in a society created by an empire That's based on terror...welcome to the One World Era, A complete interruption to your lil'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coolio/we-live-in-a-society-created-by-an-empire-that-s-based-on-terror/) [Coolio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coolio/) > [“We live in a society where detachment is almost essential.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/we-live-in-a-society-where-detachment-is-almost-essential/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [I don't want to live in a society that does these sort of things... I do not want to live in a world where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/i-don-t-want-to-live-in-a-society-that-does-these-sort-of-things-i-do/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [I want to live in a society where everyone is treated equally and not defined by their race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxime-bernier/i-want-to-live-in-a-society-where-everyone-is-treated-equally-and-not/) [Maxime Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxime-bernier/) > [We can't live alone in any society. 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This is what my feminism looks like”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malebo-sephodi/i-want-to-live-in-a-society-where-we-are-all-liberated-this-is-what/) [Malebo Sephodi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malebo-sephodi/) > [We all live in a society where someone who lives right across hasn't eaten and you don't know it or you are having problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-asante/we-all-live-in-a-society-where-someone-who-lives-right-across-hasn-t/) [Juliet Asante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-asante/) > [One cannot live in society and be free from society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/one-cannot-live-in-society-and-be-free-from-society/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [We don't evaluate what's right and wrong, we live in a society. We live in a culture. We have to live within the culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-sterling/we-don-t-evaluate-what-s-right-and-wrong-we-live-in-a-society-we-live/) [Donald Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-sterling/) > [ We're not in control \[of circumstances\], but that does not mean we don't exercise a certain kind of conditioned agency. That's what it means… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-butler/we-re-not-in-control-of-circumstances-but-that-does-not-mean-we-don-t/) [Judith Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-butler/) ## 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 Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. 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He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve in the human body and keep it at the highest pitch of artificial tension, to strain every human desire to the limit and create as many new desires and synthetic passions as possible, in", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Merton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy-is-to-excite-every-nerve-in-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Desire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy-is-to-excite-every-nerve-in-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/thomas-merton-231_desire_we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy_1612932.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We live in a society whose whole policy is to excite every nerve in the human body and keep it at the…” — 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": "We live in a society whose...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy-is-to-excite-every-nerve-in-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-live-in-a-society-whose-whole-policy-is-to-excite-every-nerve-in-2/#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 } } ] } ```