“The light of truth burns without a flicker in the depths of a house that is shaken with storms of passion and fear.”

— Thomas Merton

Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Thomas Merton 92

Priest and author 1915–1968

Ruth Nanda Anshen (1900–2003) American philosopher, author and editor

The Mystery of Consciousness: A Prescription for Human Survival, pg. 108 (1994)

“But the truth, alas, has been disturbed by the question, and it rises up from the depths of your soul to flicker in your eyes and all is lost.”

Mikhail Bulgakov book The Master and Margarita

Book One in 'Nikanor Ivanovich's Dream', B/O
The Master and Margarita (1967)
Context: The tongue can conceal the truth, but the eyes never! You're asked an unexpected question, you don't even flinch, it takes just a second to get yourself under control, you know just what you have to say to hide the truth, and you speak very convincingly, and nothing in your face twitches to give you away. But the truth, alas, has been disturbed by the question, and it rises up from the depths of your soul to flicker in your eyes and all is lost.

“Her face seems ravaged by both lightning and hail. But on yours there is something like the promise of a storm: one day passion will burn it to the bone.”

Jean Paul Sartre The Flies

Act 1
The Flies (1943)

“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.”

John Wesley (1703–1791) Christian theologian

As quoted in The Peaceful Path of Prosperity : Practical and Spiritual Approaches to Enrich Your Life with Your Inner Wealth (2001) by Danny Babineaux; not found in any record of Wesley before 2001.
Misattributed
Variant: I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.