A review by jfuel
No Man Is an Island by Thomas Merton

4.0

This was my first introduction to Merton and I appreciated both his content and writing style. I was expecting more of a Catholic bent to the writings but did not notice this at all (I am not sure if this says more about Merton or me). This book is a collection of 16 essays by Merton on a variety of topics with regard to the spiritual life. It is best read slowly and pondered over time. This may be the most quotable book I have ever read but I have the distinct sense that this is not what Merton was trying to achieve (which makes it even better). Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

To destroy truth with truth under the pretext of being sincere is a very insincere way of telling a lie.

Until we have reached the bottom of the abyss, there is still something for us to choose between all and nothing.

How tragic it is that they who have nothing to express are continually expressing themselves, like nervous gunners, firing burst after burst of ammunition into the dark, where there is no enemy.