--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had a strong sudden instinct that I…" description: "\"I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I didn’t want to see any people at all. I had seen so many people all my life -- I was an average ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_average_i-had-a-strong-sudden-instinct-that-i-mu_752719.jpg" --- # I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I… ![“I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I didn’t want to see any people at all. I had seen so many people all my life -- I was an average mixer, but more than average in a tendency to identify myself, my ideas, my destiny, with those of all classes that came in contact with. I was…” quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_average_i-had-a-strong-sudden-instinct-that-i-mu_752719.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_average_i-had-a-strong-sudden-instinct-that-i-mu_752719.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2c/f-scott-fitzgerald-72_average_i-had-a-strong-sudden-instinct-that-i-mu_752719.jpg) > “I had a strong sudden instinct that I must be alone. I didn’t want to see any people at all. I had seen so many people all my life -- I was an average mixer, but more than average in a tendency to identify myself, my ideas, my destiny, with those of all classes that came in contact with. I was always saving or being saved -- in a single morning I would go through the emotions ascribable to Wellington at Waterloo. I lived in a world of inscrutable hostiles and inalienable friends and supporters.” [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator feels an intense urge for isolation, seeing himself intertwined with many social groups yet yearning for solitude. **In simple terms:** A strong desire to be alone despite social connections. Key Takeaway Embrace solitude when overwhelmed. Themes isolation identity social dynamics Mood reflective melancholic Type literary personal When to use this quote - personal crisis - creative work - social gatherings Key Concepts existential yearning self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - When does solitude help you? - What social ties pull you away? A Different Perspective Alone time can limit collaboration and growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [My destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-destiny/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Saving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving/) [Waterloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waterloo/) [Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellington/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [You remember the Duke of Wellington was talking of the Battle of Waterloo when he said that it was not that the British soldiers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-h-dunn/you-remember-the-duke-of-wellington-was-talking-of-the-battle-of/) [Paul H. 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