F is for Fear

Fear narrows the little entrance of our heart.
It shrinks up our capacity to love.
It freezes up our power to give ourselves.

Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebration

At the root of all war is fear.

Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

… and fear is a color. As soon as it touches our liberty, it stains it and renders it unlike to itself.

Thomas Merton, quoting St. Bernard in The Silent Life