--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who is willing to be satisfied with a job…" description: "\"Who is willing to be satisfied with a job that expresses all his limitations? He will accept such work only as a 'means of livelihood' while he waits t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting_who-is-willing-to-be-satisfied-with-a-jo_1132851.jpg" --- # Who is willing to be satisfied with a job that expresses… ![“Who is willing to be satisfied with a job that expresses all his limitations? He will accept such work only as a 'means of livelihood' while he waits to discover his 'true vocation'. The world is full of unsuccessful businessmen who still secretly believe they were meant to be artists or writers…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting_who-is-willing-to-be-satisfied-with-a-jo_1132851.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting_who-is-willing-to-be-satisfied-with-a-jo_1132851.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d3/thomas-merton-231_accepting_who-is-willing-to-be-satisfied-with-a-jo_1132851.jpg) > “Who is willing to be satisfied with a job that expresses all his limitations? He will accept such work only as a 'means of livelihood' while he waits to discover his 'true vocation'. The world is full of unsuccessful businessmen who still secretly believe they were meant to be artists or writers or actors in the movies.” [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. Accepting a job that only fits your limits keeps you stuck in a temporary role, preventing discovery of your true calling. **In simple terms:** Settling limits a limiting job blocks true vocation. Key Takeaway Seek work that aligns with your deeper purpose. Themes career purpose self‑actualization limitations vocational identity Mood reflective determined hopeful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - creative pursuits - personal development - life coaching Key Concepts self‑concept identity formation existential fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What would you change if you could choose any work? - How do you balance financial needs with true calling? A Different Perspective A stable income may be necessary before pursuing passion, creating tension. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Businessman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/businessman/) [Career](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/career/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Limitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limitation/) [Livelihood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/livelihood/) [Vocation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vocation/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [It is more important to find out what you are giving to society than to ask what is the right means of livelihood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/it-is-more-important-to-find-out-what-you-are-giving-to-society-than/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is nothing so degrading as the constant anxiety about one's means of livelihood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/there-is-nothing-so-degrading-as-the-constant-anxiety-about-one-s/) [W. 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The more I act, the more resistance I have to it. If you accept work in a movie, you accept to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-m-a-writer-the-more-i-act-the-more-resistance-i-have-to-it-if-you/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. 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Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. 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