--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That I am totally devoid of sympathy for…" description: "\"That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in, the world of groups is directly attributable to the fact that my two greatest needs and desir..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg" --- # That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in… ![“That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in, the world of groups is directly attributable to the fact that my two greatest needs and desires - smoking cigarettes and plotting revenge - are basically solitary pursuits.” quote by Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg) > “That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in, the world of groups is directly attributable to the fact that my two greatest needs and desires - smoking cigarettes and plotting revenge - are basically solitary pursuits.” [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admits a lack of empathy for group dynamics, preferring solitary activities like smoking and plotting revenge. **In simple terms:** Prefers solitude over groups. Key Takeaway Respect personal boundaries. Themes solitude empathy individualism Mood cynical detached Type observational critical When to use this quote - personal hobbies - mental health - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology social isolation Questions to Reflect On - Why avoid groups? - What benefits could connection bring? A Different Perspective Solitude may limit social support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-alone/) [Cigarette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigarette/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Smoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoking/) [Smoking cigarettes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoking-cigarettes/) [Solitary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitary/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The cyber security strategy for the United Kingdom is a master of the formulaic jargon we have come to associate with the Labour government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/the-cyber-security-strategy-for-the-united-kingdom-is-a-master-of-the/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [Solitary pursuits like playing video games and skateboarding can't compete with the thrill of mobbing a teammate as he scores the winning run -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-rushin/solitary-pursuits-like-playing-video-games-and-skateboarding-can-t/) [Steve Rushin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-rushin/) > [“those who looked at the pictures of cars, electronics, and jewelry rated themselves higher in depression and anxiety, less interested in social activities like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-looked-at-the-pictures-of-cars-electronics-and-jewelry/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In a state of flow, you’re neither bored nor anxious, and you don’t question your own adequacy. Hours pass without your noticing. The key…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/in-a-state-of-flow-you-re-neither-bored-nor-anxious-and-you-don-t/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [I like solitary pursuits, such as reading or pottering about in the garden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayley-mills/i-like-solitary-pursuits-such-as-reading-or-pottering-about-in-the/) [Hayley Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayley-mills/) > [“The key to flow is to pursue an activity for its own sake, not for the rewards it brings. Although flow does not depend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/the-key-to-flow-is-to-pursue-an-activity-for-its-own-sake-not-for-the/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [Also, painting and animation are really solitary pursuits, so the collaborative aspects of music making and acting are pretty welcome sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tunde-adebimpe/also-painting-and-animation-are-really-solitary-pursuits-so-the/) Tunde Adebimpe > [Trying to micromanage the perfect vacation is always a disaster. That leads to terrible times. 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It is good for nothing but to choke a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/ods-me-i-marle-what-pleasure-or-felicity-they-have-in-taking-their/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [The believing we do something when we do nothing is the first illusion of tobacco.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-believing-we-do-something-when-we-do-nothing-is-the-first/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In the 1960s, you could eat anything you wanted, and of course, people were smoking cigarettes and all kinds of things, and there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/in-the-1960s-you-could-eat-anything-you-wanted-and-of-course-people/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [“I wasn't interested in drinking beer or vodka or smoking cigarettes or doing all the other things Greta thinks I can't even imagine. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-rifka-brunt/i-wasn-t-interested-in-drinking-beer-or-vodka-or-smoking-cigarettes/) [Carol Rifka Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-rifka-brunt/) > [If the fact that people make poor decisions is reason enough for the government to second-guess their decisions about dangerous activities such as smoking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-sullum/if-the-fact-that-people-make-poor-decisions-is-reason-enough-for-the/) Jacob Sullum > [We have too many preacherettes preaching too many sermonettes to too many Christianettes smoking cigarettes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/we-have-too-many-preacherettes-preaching-too-many-sermonettes-to-too/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) ## More by Fran Lebowitz > [Why not have your first baby at sixty, when your husband is already dead and your career is over? Then you can really devote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/why-not-have-your-first-baby-at-sixty-when-your-husband-is-already/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [I've never had the experience of being edited and never will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/i-ve-never-had-the-experience-of-being-edited-and-never-will/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [I think humor is warmer, and wit is colder. Wit is judgment, whereas humor invites some sort of response.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/i-think-humor-is-warmer-and-wit-is-colder-wit-is-judgment-whereas/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [Communists all seem to wear small caps, a look I consider better suited to tubes of toothpaste than to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/communists-all-seem-to-wear-small-caps-a-look-i-consider-better/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [“lack, or loutish and crass kollective is a program dedicated to the proposition that vulgarity and bad taste are an inalienable right. the lackies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/lack-or-loutish-and-crass-kollective-is-a-program-dedicated-to-the/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [I figure you have the same chance of winning the lottery whether you play or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/i-figure-you-have-the-same-chance-of-winning-the-lottery-whether-you/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [ \[Friendships\] are easy to get out of compared to love affairs, but they are not easy to get out of compared to, say, jail. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/friendships-are-easy-to-get-out-of-compared-to-love-affairs-but-they/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [Smoking is, as far as I'm concerned, the entire point of being an adult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/smoking-is-as-far-as-i-m-concerned-the-entire-point-of-being-an-adult/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [If you want to get ahead in this world get a lawyer -- not a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/if-you-want-to-get-ahead-in-this-world-get-a-lawyer-not-a-book/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [When it comes to sports I am not particularly interested. Generally speaking, I look upon them as dangerous and tiring activities performed by people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/when-it-comes-to-sports-i-am-not-particularly-interested-generally/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [The first time I ever saw platform shoes in the '70s, I knew they'd been revived from the '40s, and I felt sickened. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/the-first-time-i-ever-saw-platform-shoes-in-the-70s-i-knew-they-d/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [Children ask better questions than adults. "May I have a cookie?" "Why is the sky blue?" and "What does a cow say?" are far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/children-ask-better-questions-than-adults-may-i-have-a-cookie-why-is/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [ I do not think everyone is created equal. In fact, I know they're not. \[The Constitution\] means that everyone should have the same laws… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/i-do-not-think-everyone-is-created-equal-in-fact-i-know-they-re-not/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [When I fly, I'm never afraid the plane is going to crash. But there have often been times when I was afraid it wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/when-i-fly-i-m-never-afraid-the-plane-is-going-to-crash-but-there/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) > [Smoking is, if not my life, then at least my hobby. I love to smoke. Smoking is fun. Smoking is cool. Smoking is, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/smoking-is-if-not-my-life-then-at-least-my-hobby-i-love-to-smoke/) [Fran Lebowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) [Explore all 408 Fran Lebowitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/) ## More Being alone quotes > [“Truth is, I’m generally happiest when it’s just me. It’s okay to be madly in love with yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/truth-is-i-m-generally-happiest-when-it-s-just-me-it-s-okay-to-be/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [A man in a bookstore buys a book on loneliness and every woman in the store hits on him. A woman buys a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/a-man-in-a-bookstore-buys-a-book-on-loneliness-and-every-woman-in-the/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Noone understands me,... not even myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syoung/noone-understands-me-not-even-myself/) Syoung > [Real love is a permanently self-enlarging experience…A Journey With My Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luckybannu/real-love-is-a-permanently-self-enlarging-experience-a-journey-with/) Luckybannu > [I'm hurt all the time. I don't want to cry for the way I feel inside. I just want someone to hold me... I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-hurt-all-the-time-i-don-t-want-to-cry-for-the-way-i-feel-inside-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are terrifying, and strange, and beautiful. Something not everyone knows how to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warsan-shire/you-are-terrifying-and-strange-and-beautiful-something-not-everyone/) [Warsan Shire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warsan-shire/) > [I wish I had someone to love me as much as I could love them. It's hard being alone when everyone else you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wish-i-had-someone-to-love-me-as-much-as-i-could-love-them-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People think being alone makes you LONELY, But I don't think thats true. Being surrounded by wrong people is the loneliest thing in World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-think-being-alone-makes-you-lonely-but-i-don-t-think-thats/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't feel alone, because there is always someone out there who loves you more than you can imagine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-feel-alone-because-there-is-always-someone-out-there-who-loves/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Be much alone with God, and take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unburden yourself wholly -every thought, feeling, wish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatius-bonar/be-much-alone-with-god-and-take-time-to-get-thoroughly-acquainted/) [Horatius Bonar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatius-bonar/) > [Fame always brings loneliness. Success is as ice cold and lonely as the North Pole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-baum/fame-always-brings-loneliness-success-is-as-ice-cold-and-lonely-as/) [Vicki Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-baum/) > [That moment when you burst out crying alone in your room. And you realize that no one truly knows how unhappy you are. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-moment-when-you-burst-out-crying-alone-in-your-room-and-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Loneliness hits the minds of those that thinks they are single and alone. There's always someone out there waiting patiently for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/loneliness-hits-the-minds-of-those-that-thinks-they-are-single-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im just gonna hide. Another face in your perfect world. Quiet as a mouse.Secretive as a sin. Darkly beautifully. Beautifully strange ?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade/im-just-gonna-hide-another-face-in-your-perfect-world-quiet-as-a/) [Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade/) > [Im not totally mad at you. Im just sad. Youre all locked up in that little world of yours, and when I try knocking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/im-not-totally-mad-at-you-im-just-sad-youre-all-locked-up-in-that/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) [Browse all 978 Being alone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-alone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in, the world of groups is directly attributable to the fact that my two greatest needs and desires - smoking cigarettes and plotting revenge - are basically solitary pursuits.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Fran Lebowitz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for-or-interest-in-the-world-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being alone" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for-or-interest-in-the-world-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/fran-lebowitz-690_being-alone_that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for_1605711.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That I am totally devoid of sympathy for, or interest in, the world of groups is directly attributable to…” — Fran Lebowitz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Fran Lebowitz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-lebowitz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "That I am totally devoid of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for-or-interest-in-the-world-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-lebowitz/that-i-am-totally-devoid-of-sympathy-for-or-interest-in-the-world-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```