--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must suffer. Our five sense are dulled…" description: "\"We must suffer. Our five sense are dulled by inordinate pleasure. Penance makes them keen, gives them back their natural vitality, and more. Penance cl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/thomas-merton-231_action_we-must-suffer-our-five-sense-are-dulled_3167472.jpg" --- # We must suffer. Our five sense are dulled by inordinate… ![“We must suffer. Our five sense are dulled by inordinate pleasure. Penance makes them keen, gives them back their natural vitality, and more. Penance clears the eye of conscience and of reason. It helps think clearly, judge sanely. It strengthens the action of our will.” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/thomas-merton-231_action_we-must-suffer-our-five-sense-are-dulled_3167472.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/thomas-merton-231_action_we-must-suffer-our-five-sense-are-dulled_3167472.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f46/thomas-merton-231_action_we-must-suffer-our-five-sense-are-dulled_3167472.jpg) > “We must suffer. Our five sense are dulled by inordinate pleasure. Penance makes them keen, gives them back their natural vitality, and more. Penance clears the eye of conscience and of reason. It helps think clearly, judge sanely. It strengthens the action of our will.” [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. Penance sharpens senses dul restores natural vitality, and clears conscience, enabling clear thought and strong will. **In simple terms:** Penance restores clarity and willpower. Key Takeaway Embrace disciplined sacrifice for mental clarity. Themes self-discipline spirituality clarity Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual practice - decision making Key Concepts asceticism willpower conscience Questions to Reflect On - How does discipline affect your perception? - Can restraint improve judgment? A Different Perspective Penance may be misused to justify self-punishment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Eye Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-conscience-5751601/) [Five](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judging/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Penance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/penance/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Pleasure Penance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure-penance-5751599/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Vitality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vitality/) [Vitality Penance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vitality-penance-5751600/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [I had refused to pay any attention to the moral laws upon which all our vitality and sanity depend: and so now I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-had-refused-to-pay-any-attention-to-the-moral-laws-upon-which-all/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [All men who live only according to their five senses, and seek nothing beyond the gratification of their natural appetites for pleasure and reputation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/all-men-who-live-only-according-to-their-five-senses-and-seek-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice. 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