The man who sweats under his mask, whose role makes him itch with discomfort, who hates the division in himself, is already beginning to be free.
THOMAS MERTON
THOMAS MERTON
Thomas Merton on beginning
Thomas Merton76 quotes“The man who sweats under his mask, whose role makes him itch with discomfort, who hates the division in himself, is already beginning to be free.”
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More from Thomas Merton
For although God is right with us and in us and out of us and all through us, we have to go on journeys to find him.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton We cannot achieve greatness unless we lose all interest in being great.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Instead of hating the people you think are war-makers, hate the appetites and disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed – but hate these things in yourself, not in another.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Violence is not completely fatal until it ceases to disturb us.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton How can I be sincere if I am constantly changing my mind to conform with the shadow of what I think others expect of me?
Thomas MertonThomas Merton But if you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think I am living for.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton We are not converted only once in our lives but many times and this endless series of conversions and inner revolutions leads to our transformation.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Actions are the doors and windows of being. Unless we act, we have no way of knowing what we are.
Thomas MertonThomas 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
Original quotes
From our community writers
I managed to cut myself loose and while there was pain – there weren’t any blood.
Jenny WinbladhJenny Winbladh Free will exist only in a confused mind.
Frode GaslandFrode Gasland If you are true to yourself, you are already a winner.
Alex DanielAlex Daniel You deserve words that remind you of your value.
Saif Ali ManganSaif Ali Mangan Do always wonder about your worth and remind yourself that even roses have their own thorns.
Megan LaoMegan Lao I’m like sugar in the coffee. Stir me and I’ll dissolve into you.
BelaBela Plans have changed. Life looks different. & now we’re all figuring it out as we go.
Tanya GillTanya Gill Be loyal to those loyal to you.
Sonya TeclaiSonya Teclai
Meet the writers
More on beginning
There is no civilization that did not begin with art, Whether it was drawing a line in the sand, painting a cave or dancing.
Toni MorrisonToni Morrison Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins.
Ayn RandAyn Rand A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.
Robert FrostRobert Frost Love makes everything complicated, and emotions always go wild in the beginning. But when it’s real, you should hold on tight.
Nicholas SparksNicholas Sparks Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
Mother TeresaMother Teresa A man’s real education begins after he has left school. True education is gained through the discipline of life.
Henry FordHenry Ford In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
Mark TwainMark Twain We are beginning to see the influence of dream upon reality and reality upon dream.
Anais NinAnais Nin