Thomas Merton Quotes

You think you know someone. But mostly you just know what you want to know.

Not creating delusions is enlightenment.

Of course, mankind has made giant steps forward. However, what we know is really very, very little compared to what we still have to know.

To enter by reason means to realize the essence through instruction and to believe that all living things share the same true nature, which isn't apparent because it's shrouded by sensation and delusion.

Getting rid of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth.

There is this difference between happiness and wisdom: he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so; but he that thinks himself the wisest, is generally the greatest fool.

He that knew all that learning ever writ, Knew only this - that he knew nothing yet.

No one who lives in error is free.

Owing to ignorance of the rope the rope appears to be a snake; owing to ignorance of the Self the transient state arises of the individualized, limited, phenomenal aspect of the Self.

The fool,fixed in his folly,may think He can turn the wheel on which he turns.

Any man who thinks he knows the mind of a woman is a man who knows nothing.

The character I play has all these revolutionary ideas. I think the classic thing is that majority people who are criticising it probably have never read the books, and need to. And I'm sure that the Catholic Church, which is being directed as you know, can handle it.

The boy heaved a sigh. "I would ask to go with you," he said, " but I have to finish my lessons. I so look forward to the day when I know everything. Then I won't have to read any more books or do any more counting." Beatrix smiled. "I don't wish to be discouraging, Rye, but it's not possible to know everything." "Mama does." Rye paused reflectively. "At least, Papa says we mus t pretend she does, because it makes her happy." "Your father," Beatrix informed him with a laugh, " is one of the wisest men I've ever known.

Yet the stupid believe they are awake, busily and brightly assuming they understand things, calling this man ruler, that one herdsman – how dense! Confucius and you are both dreaming! And when I say you are dreaming, I am dreaming, too. Words like these will be labeled the Supreme Swindle.

People in this world look at things mistakenly, and think that what they do not understand must be the void. This is not the true void. It is bewilderment.

Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise, for only a fool will think that is happiness.

Learning passes for wisdom among those who want both.

All descriptions of reality are limited expressions of the world of emptiness. Yet we attach to the descriptions and think they are reality. That is a mistake.

We know less when we erroneously think we know than when we recognize that we don't.

When told that man lives in delusion everyone thinks of himself as the exception; hence his delusion.

There is but a slight difference between the man who may be said to know nothing and him who thinks he knows everything.

People are so ridiculous with their illusions, carrying their fool's caps unawares, thinking their own lies opaque while everybody else's are transparent, making themselves exceptions to everything, as if when all the world looked yellow under a lamp they alone are rosy.

All you know is what you think you know, but that isn't always what's real.

Darkness is only in the mortal eye, that thinks it sees, but sees not.