Notable and Quotable

Posted by Kendall Harmon

The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence. More than that, it is cooperation in violence.

--Thomas Merton

Filed under: * Christian Life / Church Life • Spirituality/Prayer • * Culture-Watch • Violence • * General Interest • Notable & Quotable

8 Comments
Posted September 3, 2007 at 5:49 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. RoyIII wrote:

I guess it’s violence if you’re a monk?

September 3, 6:10 pm | [comment link]
2. Sherri wrote:

I was just wondering about the new meaning of “violence.”

September 3, 6:21 pm | [comment link]
3. John A. wrote:

There is a “violence” that says “You have your truth and I have mine” claiming that universal truth does not exist.  Merton describes this scandal of confusion in terms of having divided commitments.

A book called “The Logic of Failure” points out that big failures are due to not recognizing the inherent complexity of a situation or failing to take multiple simultaneous actions.  To succeed, we must single mindedly pursue our ultimate goal by addressing all of the essential demands and ignoring the rest.

September 3, 7:00 pm | [comment link]
4. BabyBlue wrote:

Why don’t we start Waging Simplicity? wink

bb

September 3, 7:40 pm | [comment link]
5. Sidney wrote:

I assume the use of the word ‘violence’ is prophetic hyperbole.  Jesus did that, too…

Merton’s comment applies rather well to the American dating/relationship culture, in which I am a dissatisfied participant.

September 3, 9:36 pm | [comment link]
6. Jim the Puritan wrote:

Why don’t we start Waging Simplicity? 

That’s what the Puritans were all about!

September 3, 9:42 pm | [comment link]
7. clark west wrote:

Kendall,
thank you so much for posting this wonderful passage from Merton. Today, of all days, it is balm to my hurried, harried soul.
Pax to you and your family.
Your brother in Christ,
Clark

September 4, 8:18 am | [comment link]
8. Stuart Smith wrote:

Reading this wonderful quote reminded me of an excellent tract from the past titled “The Tyranny of the Urgent”!

September 4, 2:52 pm | [comment link]
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