Thomas Merton Quotes

We rarely find anyone who can say he has lived a happy life, and who, content with his life, can retire from the world like a satisfied guest.

What indeed is life, unless so far as it is enjoyed? It does not merit the name.

Enjoying life for me is just normal.

All I will say is we get wiser as we get older. And that what I am looking for in life is the same as I always have; happiness, peacefulness and joy. And that's all I'm going to say about that because otherwise I'd get into trouble

If money does not make you happy, give it back

money does not guarantee happiness or peace of mind, it can take your mind off things, distract you, but it can't replace the generic stuff a person needs!

Having a good home, eating good food, wearing good clothes, are a means to living well; they are not the goals of our life. The quality of your life is decided by how peaceful and joyful you are.

A sense of contentment is a key factor for attaining happiness

Surely joy is the condition of life.

The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.

Happiness has not to all the same name: to Youth she is known as the Future; Age knows her as the Dream.

How good is life, the mere living!

Pleasure is the beginning and the end of living happily.

I'd rather have happiness than money.

Life consists of nothing more than the happiness we can get out of it.

The true masters of the art of living are already happy.

Happiness. We're tearing our hair out to try to find a definition of it, for heaven's sake. Is it joy? People will tell you that it isn't, that joy is a fleeting emotion, a moment of happiness, which is always welcome, mind you. And then what about pleasure, huh? Oh, yes, that's easy, everybody knows what that is, but there again it doesn't last. But is happiness not the sum total of lots of small joys and pleasures, huh?

Life is too short to be miserable.

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.

I love life because what more is there?

You find happiness where you find it.

I have a very good life, so I have nothing to complain about. Sometimes, I just have existential angst.

That should be the measure of success for everyone. It's not money, it's not fame, it's not celebrity; my index of success is happiness.

I do like my life very much, yes.

If you're not having a good time, find something else that gives you some joy in life.