Thomas Merton Quotes

Some of the best advice I was ever given was: 'Don't believe your own hype.'

Things are not always as they seem; the first appearance deceives many.

It may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears.

The grass is always greener on the other side - until you get there and see it's AstroTurf. Symbols are never reality. Someone might have amassed material success and fame, but that doesn't mean they're happy. So, don't go judging a person's life by the cover.

You have to think you're the greatest thing since sliced bread, but you have to know that you're not.

The only difference between a wise man and a fool is that the wise man knows he's playing.

Reality is modest, it won't be seen naked.

An illusion dissipated is an experience gained.

I don't try to be clever at all. The idea that I could see what no one else can is an illusion.

First appearance deceives many.

Truth, like light, blinds. Falsehood, on the contrary, is a beautiful twilight that enhances every object.

I am not overconfident.

Seeing is not always believing.

In a way, a certain amount of self-criticism is a good thing, because it keeps you humble. Realizing that no matter what success you've achieved, you can still make enemies makes you humble, too.

I realize that nothing's as it seems.

I never answer, because I can't, which is my favorite among my own books.

Young man, the secret of my success is that an early age I discovered that I was not God.

I don't pretend I know everything.

In short, not only are things not what they seem, they are not even what they are called!

I find it very hard to take myself seriously.

I'm not great at talking about myself.

We never know, believe me, when we have succeeded best.

I don't know if I'm so righteous.

Perhaps I am not as wise as I like to think I am.

I don't presume to think I'm great at anything.