Anguish Quote by Daniel Defoe
““Before, as I walked about, either on my hunting, or for viewing the country, the anguish of my soul at my condition would break out upon me on a sudden, and my very heart would die within me, to think of the woods, the mountains, the desarts I was in; and how I was a prisoner, locked up with the eternal bars and bolts of the ocean, in an uninhabited wilderness, without redemption. In the midst of the greatest composures of my mind, this would break out upon me like a storm, and make me wring my hands and weep like a child. Sometimes it would take me in the middle of my work, and I would immediately sit down and sigh, and look upon the ground for an hour or two together; and this was still worse to me; for if I could burst out into tears, or vent my self by words, it would go off, and the grief having exhausted it self would abate.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, 1719
The narrator describes profound existential anguish and isolation, likening his soul to a prisoner in a wild, endless ocean.
In simple terms: Deep loneliness feels like being trapped in nature.
Key Takeaway
Seek connection or purpose to alleviate existential despair.
Themes
loneliness
existential dread
nature
prison
despair
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- solo travel
- remote work
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What small actions can break the feeling of imprisonment?
- How can you create meaning in isolation?
A Different Perspective
The poetic language may obscure practical steps to address the suffering.
