Arnold Schwarzenegger Resigned to Divorce

Arnold Schwarzenegger would like Maria Shriver to take him back, but he's not holding out hope and is at peace with the likely end of his marriage ... sources very close to the actor tell TMZ.

As TMZ first reported, Maria has waffled on divorcing her hubby, partly because he still has a strong emotional hold on her and partly because divorce runs counter to her religion.  But we're told as time passes and both Arnold and Maria have created separate lives, divorce is looking more certain.

We're told Arnold believes Maria's friends have done everything they can to poison the waters, imploring Maria to stay clear of him.

And our sources say Arnold and Maria are already "very close" in working out a financial settlement.

Whatever they decide, we're told both Arnold and Maria are in lockstep over one thing -- making the break up as painless as possible for their kids.