More from Thomas Merton
Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton 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 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 Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love; every moment of existence is a grace.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton In Silence God ceases to be an object and becomes an experience.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Our real journey in life is interior; It is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts. Never was it more necessary to respond to that action.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton From the moment you put a piece of bread in your mouth you are part of the world. Who grew the wheat? Who made the bread? Where did it come from? You are in relationship with all who brought it to the table. We are least separate and most in common when we eat and drink.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God: for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and selfishness that have chilled his faith.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton A happiness that is sought for ourselves alone can never be found: for a happiness that is diminished by being shared is not big enough to make us happy.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton For each one of us, there is only one thing necessary: to fulfill our own destiny, according to God’s will, to be what God wants us to be.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton The purpose of our lives is to find the purpose of our lives.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton Not all of us are called to be hermits, but all of us need enough silence and solitude in our lives to enable the deeper voice of our own self to be heard at least occasionally.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton A faith that is afraid of other people is no faith at all.
Thomas MertonThomas Merton I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity. I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can.
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 change
I could never pretend something I didn’t feel. I could never make love if I didn’t love, and if I loved I could no more hide the fact than change the color of my eyes.
Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe The way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger.
Dalai LamaDalai Lama Change is never easy, but always possible.
Barack ObamaBarack Obama Things do not change; we change.
Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau People do change.
Selena GomezSelena Gomez That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson Change is the immediate responsibility of each of us, wherever and however we are standing, in whatever arena we choose.
Audre LordeAudre Lorde When people made up their minds that they wanted to be free and took action, then there was a change.
Rosa ParksRosa Parks
