In different degrees, in every part of the town, men and…
““In different degrees, in every part of the town, men and women had been yearning for a reunion, not of the same kind for all, but for all alike ruled out. Most of them had longed intensely for an absent one, for the warmth of a body, for love, or merely a life that habit had endeared. Some, often without knowing it, suffered from being deprived of the company of friends and from their inability to get in touch with them through the usual channels of friendship—letters, trains, and boats. Others, fewer these... had desired a reunion with something they couldn’t have defined, but which seemed to them the only desirable thing on earth. For want of a better name, they sometimes called it peace.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People seek connection and peace amid existential longing.
In simple terms: Humans crave companionship and meaning.
Key Takeaway
Foster genuine relationships and inner peace.
Themes
existentialism
loneliness
human connection
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- community building
- mental health support
- creative writing
- philosophical discussion
Key Concepts
search for meaning
social isolation
psychological yearning
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “peace” mean to you?
- How can you nurture connection in a disconnected world?
A Different Perspective
Peace may be unattainable for some.