Another man Quote by Joseph Conrad
“It is when we try to grapple with another man's intimate need that we perceive how incomprehensible, wavering and misty are the beings that share with us the sight of the stars and the warmth of the sun. It is as if loneliness were a hard and absolute condition of existence; the envelope of flesh and blood on which our eyes are fixed melts before the outstretched hand, and there remains only the capricious, unconsolable and elusive spirit that no eye can follow, no hand can grasp.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Nostromo by Joseph Conrad, 1904
Attempting to understand another’s deep needs reveals the elusive, solitary nature of humanity, where physical reality fades before an untouchable spirit.
In simple terms: Understanding others shows humanity’s solitary, mysterious essence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of empathy; accept mystery.
Themes
existence
loneliness
empathy
humanity
spirituality
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- deep conversations
- philosophical reflection
- artistic expression
- spiritual contemplation
Key Concepts
philosophical
existential
mystical
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “loneliness as a condition” mean to you?
- How can we bridge the gap between physical and spiritual understanding?
A Different Perspective
The abstract language may alienate some readers.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
