Thomas Merton wrote more than 70 books, mostly on spirituality, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith understanding.
Interest in his work contributed to a rise in spiritual exploration beginning in the 1960s and 1970s in the US. Merton's letters and diaries, reveal the intensity with which their author focused on social justice issues, including the civil rights movement and proliferation of nuclear arms. He had prohibited their publication for 25 years after his death. Publication raised new interest in Merton's life.
“Trestáš-li své muže dříve, než k tobě stačili přilnout, nepodřídí se ti. A nepodřídí-li se ti, nebudou ti k užitku. Netrestáš-li však vojáky ani po té, co k tobě přilnuli, nebudou ti k ničemu.”
“The general who in advancing does not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the precious jewel of the state.”
“Quão lamentável é arriscar tudo em um único combate, negligenciando a estratégia vitoriosa, e fazer com que o destino de tuas armas dependa de uma única batalha!”
“Hay que dejarle una salida a un ejército rodeado. Muéstrales una manera de salvar la vida para que no estén dispuestos a luchar hasta la muerte, y así podrás aprovecharte para atacarles. No presiones a un enemigo desesperado. Un animal agotado seguirá luchando, pues esa es la ley de la naturaleza.”
“وعودة إلى الكتاب الذي ننقله لك عزيزي القارئ.. كتاب "فن الحرب" الذي حرصت القيادة الأميركية على أن يحمله كل جندي ذهب إلى حرب تحرير الكويت لقراءته، والذي اعتادت الشركات اليابانية على أخذ النصائح التي حفل بها من أجل تطبيقها. هذا الكتاب الذي يمكن تطبيق ما جاء فيه في عالم الاقتصاد والتجارة والسياسة والرياضة، فهو لا يركز على تحقيق النصر فحسب، بل أيضا على تجنب الهزيمة وتقليل وتفادي الخسائر بأكبر قدر ممكن.كما يشرح كيف يمكن أن يتحقق النصر مع تجنب القتال إذا كان ذلك ممكنا. أحمد ناصيف”
“In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power. It is sufficient to estimate the enemy situation correctly and to concentrate your strength to capture him. There is no more to it than this. He who lacks foresight and underestimates his enemy will surely be captured by him.”
“The tao is the way of humanity and justice; 'laws' are regulations and institutions. Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and justice and maintain their laws and institution. By these means they make their governments invincible.”
“Do not press an enemy at bay. Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative they will fight to the death.”
Thomas Merton wrote more than 70 books, mostly on spirituality, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith understanding.
Interest in his work contributed to a rise in spiritual exploration beginning in the 1960s and 1970s in the US. Merton's letters and diaries, reveal the intensity with which their author focused on social justice issues, including the civil rights movement and proliferation of nuclear arms. He had prohibited their publication for 25 years after his death. Publication raised new interest in Merton's life.