--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A body seems a solitary thing until each…" description: "\"“A body seems a solitary thing until each cell inside it gains its own voice, and when all shriek in terror at the same time–when they all dim to nothi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/josin-l-mcquein-33441_philosophy-of-mind_a-body-seems-a-solitary-thing-until-each_1508623.jpg" --- # A body seems a solitary thing until each cell inside it… ![“A body seems a solitary thing until each cell inside it gains its own voice, and when all shriek in terror at the same time–when they all dim to nothing after that last brilliant flare of emotion–perception of the whole can never be the same again.” quote by Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/josin-l-mcquein-33441_philosophy-of-mind_a-body-seems-a-solitary-thing-until-each_1508623.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/josin-l-mcquein-33441_philosophy-of-mind_a-body-seems-a-solitary-thing-until-each_1508623.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/josin-l-mcquein-33441_philosophy-of-mind_a-body-seems-a-solitary-thing-until-each_1508623.jpg) > ““A body seems a solitary thing until each cell inside it gains its own voice, and when all shriek in terror at the same time–when they all dim to nothing after that last brilliant flare of emotion–perception of the whole can never be the same again.”” [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When individual parts gain consciousness, the collective perception changes irreversibly, altering reality. **In simple terms:** Individual voices change the whole. Key Takeaway Listen to each part. Themes identity perception collectivism Mood reflective philosophical Type literary metaphorical When to use this quote - team dynamics - social movements - psychological analysis Key Concepts consciousness emotional intensity systems theory Questions to Reflect On - What does each “cell” represent? - How does collective fear reshape reality? A Different Perspective The metaphor may be overly dramatic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Solitary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitary/) ## Related quotes > [A man is known by the books he reads, by the company he keeps, by the praise he gives, by his dress, by his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-is-known-by-the-books-he-reads-by-the-company-he-keeps-by-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [For me, writing and creating music can be quite a solitary thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kano/for-me-writing-and-creating-music-can-be-quite-a-solitary-thing/) [Kano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kano/) > [It's funny: I'm a lifelong musician, but because I principally play the piano it's been a solitary thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-oldman/it-s-funny-i-m-a-lifelong-musician-but-because-i-principally-play-the/) [Gary Oldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-oldman/) > [It's the same thing in a way, although writing a book is a very solitary thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-jordan/it-s-the-same-thing-in-a-way-although-writing-a-book-is-a-very/) [Neil Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-jordan/) > [“Dying is a very solitary thing. The only thing we can do it be there when she wants us there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-lowry/dying-is-a-very-solitary-thing-the-only-thing-we-can-do-it-be-there/) [Lois Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-lowry/) > [“A little roving, solitary thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/a-little-roving-solitary-thing/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [If you can't do anything but fight, so every single solitary thing, every single solitary day, then the privilege of dreaming becomes something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-hollibaugh/if-you-can-t-do-anything-but-fight-so-every-single-solitary-thing/) [Amber Hollibaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-hollibaugh/) > [When I sing, it's the most solitary state: just me, and the microphone, and the holy spirit. It's not about notes or scales, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinead-o-connor/when-i-sing-it-s-the-most-solitary-state-just-me-and-the-microphone/) [Sinead O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinead-o-connor/) > [Whatever is fitted in any sort to excite the ideas of pain and danger, that is to say, whatever is in any sort terrible,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/whatever-is-fitted-in-any-sort-to-excite-the-ideas-of-pain-and-danger/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [“Fear is the paralyzing emotion that inhibits or restricts normal feelings of love, confidence, and well-being.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/fear-is-the-paralyzing-emotion-that-inhibits-or-restricts-normal/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [It is in the brain, and the brain only, that the great sins of the world take place also. You, Mr. Gray, you yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/it-is-in-the-brain-and-the-brain-only-that-the-great-sins-of-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I don't think there's anything unique about human intellience. All the nuerons in the brain that make up perceptions and emotions operate in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/i-don-t-think-there-s-anything-unique-about-human-intellience-all-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Meditation is actually a very simple exercise in resting in the natural state of your present mind, and allowing yourself to be simply and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche/meditation-is-actually-a-very-simple-exercise-in-resting-in-the/) [Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche/) > [You may not yet be able to bring your unconscious mind activity into awareness as thoughts, but it will always be reflected in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/you-may-not-yet-be-able-to-bring-your-unconscious-mind-activity-into/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [When we have the same thought again, the line of the original thought is deepened, causing what's called a memory trace. With each repetition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/when-we-have-the-same-thought-again-the-line-of-the-original-thought/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) ## More by Josin L. McQuein > [“Killing someone is easier than you think. All it takes is decision, aim, and follow through.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/killing-someone-is-easier-than-you-think-all-it-takes-is-decision-aim/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“Do you have any matches?" "What for?" The suspicion is back in his voice. That's the Tobin I know and lo- Well, that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/do-you-have-any-matches-what-for-the-suspicion-is-back-in-his-voice/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“ Priority target ... no way is that a good thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/priority-target-no-way-is-that-a-good-thing/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“Kleptomania is a medical condition beyond the afflicted's control. Picking pockets is a legitimate trade, thank you very much. I only pinch what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/kleptomania-is-a-medical-condition-beyond-the-afflicted-s-control/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“ Negative. "Mouth closed, politely.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/negative-mouth-closed-politely/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“Someone's attention shouldn't have a physical weight, but it does. Hate's a heavy burden; hope is worse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/someone-s-attention-shouldn-t-have-a-physical-weight-but-it-does-hate/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“I know one thing about the place I came from,' I say. 'We didn't eat dessert.' 'Then you came from a horrible and backward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/i-know-one-thing-about-the-place-i-came-from-i-say-we-didn-t-eat/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“Fire and light. With all our safety measures, and all our weapons, it's the primitive things that keep us safe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/fire-and-light-with-all-our-safety-measures-and-all-our-weapons-it-s/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“She wants to know why she can’t hear you,” Rue explains. “I told her your voice has been lost, so she’s keeping your hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/she-wants-to-know-why-she-can-t-hear-you-rue-explains-i-told-her-your/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“I wasn’t home. Home wasn’t that bed and that pain. Home didn’t hurt. There were no strangers who hid their faces or their voices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/i-wasn-t-home-home-wasn-t-that-bed-and-that-pain-home-didn-t-hurt/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“What sense is there in ending another life when we’re trying to keep the world from dying?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/what-sense-is-there-in-ending-another-life-when-we-re-trying-to-keep/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“You cannot murder someone in the Safe Room, okay?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/you-cannot-murder-someone-in-the-safe-room-okay/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“We unify. We include." "But humans like being individuals." "We know," Rue said. He pushes off the ground with his foot, starting the swing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/we-unify-we-include-but-humans-like-being-individuals-we-know-rue/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) > [“ Light is safety; light is life The first rule of the Arclight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josin-l-mcquein/light-is-safety-light-is-life-the-first-rule-of-the-arclight/) [Josin L. McQuein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) [Explore all 15 Josin L. McQuein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josin-l-mcquein/) ## More Emotion quotes > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Of course I like you. It's because I like you I don't wanna be with you. It's a complicated emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlin/of-course-i-like-you-it-s-because-i-like-you-i-don-t-wanna-be-with/) Marlin > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [“Emotion as well as reason belongs to the very stuff of history.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-smalley/emotion-as-well-as-reason-belongs-to-the-very-stuff-of-history/) Beryl Smalley > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [It is not my intention to explain Turkey, its culture and its problems. My literature has a universal concern: I want to bring people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/it-is-not-my-intention-to-explain-turkey-its-culture-and-its-problems/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [People are disturbed not by things but by the view they take of them. They may forget what you said, but they will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [There cannot be any communication except through form. If there is no form, you cannot create emotion in the spectator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-resnais/there-cannot-be-any-communication-except-through-form-if-there-is-no/) [Alain Resnais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-resnais/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [ Music \[is\] the third rail of life. You grabbed it to shock yourself out of the dull drag of hours. To feel something. To… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/music-is-the-third-rail-of-life-you-grabbed-it-to-shock-yourself-out/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [“What if each time you experienced an emotion, you acknowledged it, accepted it, and became curious about its message for you (instead of trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/what-if-each-time-you-experienced-an-emotion-you-acknowledged-it/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. 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