We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full.
THOMAS MERTON
THOMAS MERTON
Thomas Merton on life
Thomas Merton76 quotes“We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full.”
More from Thomas Merton
In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton For perfect hope is achieved on the brink of despair, when instead of falling over the edge, we find ourselves walking on air.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton No one is so wrong as the man who knows all the answers.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton You are made in the image of what you desire.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton When I pray for peace, I pray not only that the enemies of my own country may cease to want war, but above all that my country will cease to do the things that make war inevitable.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The artist should preach nothing-not even his own autonomy. His art should speak its own truth, and in so doing it will be in harmony with every other kind of truth- moral, metaphysical, mystical.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Be good, keep your feet dry, your eyes open, your heart at peace and your soul in the joy of Christ.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Perhaps I am stronger than I think.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Others can give you a name or a number, but they can never tell you who you really are. That is something you yourself can only discover from within.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton When your tongue is silent, you can rest in the silence of the forest. When your imagination is silent, the forest speaks to you. It tells you of its unreality and of the Reality of God. But when your mind is silent, then the forest suddenly becomes magnificently real and blazes transparently with the Reality of God.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we cannot cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves?
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Every one of us is shadowed by an illusory person: a false Self. We are not very good at recognizing illusions, least of all the ones we cherish about ourselves.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton May God prevent us from becoming “right-thinking men”-that is to say men who agree perfectly with their own police.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton When you see God in everyone, then they see God in you.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton
Original quotes
From our community writers
Find someone who can hear you even when you’re silent.
Brad NeatonBrad Neaton Shadows follow me the way a vulture stalks death. One small step ahead.
Danielle MontgomeryDanielle Montgomery Hidden in the ashes, of a fallen building lays a child’s family photo, with whom he could never unite in life.
Heba NazarHeba Nazar To love something, someone. You don’t need to own them.
Sonika MSonika M When you miss someone, you realize their worth and your faith.
Aradhna S BirenAradhna S Biren The bed was the canvas, we were the art.
Jonny OxJonny Ox Every little part of your soul was made to shine.
Ashley PrzywolskiAshley Przywolski When in truth, it is the transparency that kills you. The pain of seeing through to something you can never quite touch.
Lang LeavLang Leav
Meet the writers
More on life
There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by.
Annie DillardAnnie Dillard Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.
Marie CurieMarie Curie Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her; but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.
VoltaireVoltaire The thrill of not knowing what’s going to happen, trained me to be prepared for anything.
Ariana GrandeAriana Grande Music is really driving my whole life.
Ariana GrandeAriana Grande You never know what the future holds or where life will take you.
Kim KardashianKim Kardashian The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.
Vincent Van GoghVincent Van Gogh Life is not easy for any for us.
Marie CurieMarie Curie