We choose--or choose not--to be alone when we decide whom…
“We choose--or choose not--to be alone when we decide whom we will accept as our fellows, and whom we will reject. Thus an eremite in a mountain is in company, because the birds and coneys, the initiates whose words live in his 'forest books,' and the winds--the messengers of the Increate--are his companions. Another man, living in the midst of millions, may be alone, because there are none but enemies and victims around him.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human connection is chosen; solitude can be found among thoughts, nature, or crowds, depending on perception.
In simple terms: We pick our companions, real or imagined.
Key Takeaway
Choose meaningful connections.
Themes
loneliness
choice
perception
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- community building
Key Concepts
existentialism
social psychology
literary metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What companions do you cherish?
- How does perception shape your sense of isolation?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing solitude may ignore real social needs.