--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I thought how true it was that the world…" description: "\"“I thought how true it was that the world was a delightful place if it were not for the people, and how more than true it was that people were not wort..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg" --- # I thought how true it was that the world was a delightful… ![“I thought how true it was that the world was a delightful place if it were not for the people, and how more than true it was that people were not worth troubling about, and that wise men should set their affections upon nothing smaller than cities, heavenly or otherwise, and countrysides which are…” quote by Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg) > ““I thought how true it was that the world was a delightful place if it were not for the people, and how more than true it was that people were not worth troubling about, and that wise men should set their affections upon nothing smaller than cities, heavenly or otherwise, and countrysides which are always heavenly.”” [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects a cynical view that the world would be wonderful without people, suggesting that people are burdens and that true wisdom lies in focusing on grand, idealized places rather than individuals. **In simple terms:** People are seen as burdens; wisdom is in lofty places. Key Takeaway Focus on larger ideals, not petty concerns. Themes cynicism philosophy human nature idealism solitude Mood reflective melancholic thoughtful Type literary philosophical critical When to use this quote - personal reflection - literary analysis - philosophical debate - creative writing Key Concepts Existentialism nihilism social critique Questions to Reflect On - Do you think people truly diminish the world's beauty? - Can focusing on grand ideas replace personal relationships? A Different Perspective It overlooks the value of human connection and community. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [Countryside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/countryside/) [Introvert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introvert/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wise men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-men/) ## Related quotes > [“What a delightful place Bath is," said Mrs. Allen as they sat down near the great clock, after parading the room till they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/what-a-delightful-place-bath-is-said-mrs-allen-as-they-sat-down-near/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Instead of recognizing the State as ‘the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious and decent men,’ the run of mankind, with rare exceptions, regards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/instead-of-recognizing-the-state-as-the-common-enemy-of-all-well-2/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [You don't need to go far to see the hatred and abuse that happens online. Even using social media is anti-social because people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-chieng/you-don-t-need-to-go-far-to-see-the-hatred-and-abuse-that-happens/) [Ronny Chieng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-chieng/) > [I really need a friend I can talk to about my anti social behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/i-really-need-a-friend-i-can-talk-to-about-my-anti-social-behavior/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Human envy is certainly not one of the sources of discontent that a free society can eliminate. It is probably one of the essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/human-envy-is-certainly-not-one-of-the-sources-of-discontent-that-a/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [I am as sure as I am of the fact of Christ's reign, that a comprehensive and centralised system of national education, separated from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-alexander-hodge/i-am-as-sure-as-i-am-of-the-fact-of-christ-s-reign-that-a/) [Archibald Alexander Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-alexander-hodge/) > [“I don't think I'm anti-social. I just like to be alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gin-getz/i-don-t-think-i-m-anti-social-i-just-like-to-be-alone/) Gin Getz > [Being anti-social can also mean that you're aware of how annoying it is to be social.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/being-anti-social-can-also-mean-that-you-re-aware-of-how-annoying-it/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [Of the maxims of orthodox finance none, surely, is more anti-social than the fetish of liquidity, the doctrine of that it is a positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/of-the-maxims-of-orthodox-finance-none-surely-is-more-anti-social/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [I would never commit the positively anti-social action of robbing a bank, or worse still, working in one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/i-would-never-commit-the-positively-anti-social-action-of-robbing-a/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [My view is that to get anywhere in life you have to be anti-social, otherwise you'll end up being devoured. I've never been particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-connery/my-view-is-that-to-get-anywhere-in-life-you-have-to-be-anti-social/) [Sean Connery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-connery/) > [The State, on the other hand, both in its genesis and by its primary intention, is purely anti-social. It is not based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-state-on-the-other-hand-both-in-its-genesis-and-by-its-primary/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [“Damn it!” I rubbed my eyes. My head hurt from staring at the laptop screen the whole day. “I’ve got to put this down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-webster/damn-it-i-rubbed-my-eyes-my-head-hurt-from-staring-at-the-laptop/) Chase Webster > [So in Jewry we recognise a contemporary universal anti-social phenomenon, which has reached its present pitch through a process of, historical development in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/so-in-jewry-we-recognise-a-contemporary-universal-anti-social/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [I get very anti-social, depressed and irritable with people. I don't have time for them. I can't make phone calls and stuff. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-get-very-anti-social-depressed-and-irritable-with-people-i-don-t/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) ## More by Katherine Mansfield > [“Shadow children, thin and small, Now the day is left behind, You are dancing on the wall, On the curtains, on the blind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/shadow-children-thin-and-small-now-the-day-is-left-behind-you-are/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [“Oh, with you, I could conquer the world - oh, with you I could catch hold of the moon like a little silver sixpence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/oh-with-you-i-could-conquer-the-world-oh-with-you-i-could-catch-hold/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [“I have made it a rule of my life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-have-made-it-a-rule-of-my-life-never-to-regret-and-never-to-look/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [Life never becomes a habit to me. It's always a marvel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/life-never-becomes-a-habit-to-me-it-s-always-a-marvel/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [Children are unaccountable little creatures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/children-are-unaccountable-little-creatures/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [“Leila was sure ifhe partner didn't come and she had to listen to that marvellous music and to watch the others sliding, gliding over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/leila-was-sure-ifhe-partner-didn-t-come-and-she-had-to-listen-to-that/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [Regret is an appalling waste of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/regret-is-an-appalling-waste-of-time/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [I love the rain. I want the feeling of it on my face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-love-the-rain-i-want-the-feeling-of-it-on-my-face/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [England is merely an island of beef swimming in a warm gulf stream of gravy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/england-is-merely-an-island-of-beef-swimming-in-a-warm-gulf-stream-of/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [Perhaps it does not matter so very much what it is one loves in this world. But love something one must.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/perhaps-it-does-not-matter-so-very-much-what-it-is-one-loves-in-this/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [Ah, what happiness it is to be with people who are all happy, to press hands, press cheeks, smile into eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/ah-what-happiness-it-is-to-be-with-people-who-are-all-happy-to-press/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [To acknowledge the presence of fear is to give birth to failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/to-acknowledge-the-presence-of-fear-is-to-give-birth-to-failure/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [I am poor - obscure - just eighteen years of age - with a rapacious appetite for everything and principles as light as my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-am-poor-obscure-just-eighteen-years-of-age-with-a-rapacious/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [“I used to believe I was merely words and I do not know whether I shall start hoping for something more. You planted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-used-to-believe-i-was-merely-words-and-i-do-not-know-whether-i/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) > [To be alive and to be a ‘writer’ is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/to-be-alive-and-to-be-a-writer-is-enough/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) [Explore all 199 Katherine Mansfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) ## More Anti social quotes > [I get very anti-social, depressed and irritable with people. I don't have time for them. I can't make phone calls and stuff. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-get-very-anti-social-depressed-and-irritable-with-people-i-don-t/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [So in Jewry we recognise a contemporary universal anti-social phenomenon, which has reached its present pitch through a process of, historical development in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/so-in-jewry-we-recognise-a-contemporary-universal-anti-social/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [“Damn it!” I rubbed my eyes. My head hurt from staring at the laptop screen the whole day. “I’ve got to put this down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-webster/damn-it-i-rubbed-my-eyes-my-head-hurt-from-staring-at-the-laptop/) Chase Webster > [The State, on the other hand, both in its genesis and by its primary intention, is purely anti-social. It is not based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-state-on-the-other-hand-both-in-its-genesis-and-by-its-primary/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [My view is that to get anywhere in life you have to be anti-social, otherwise you'll end up being devoured. I've never been particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-connery/my-view-is-that-to-get-anywhere-in-life-you-have-to-be-anti-social/) [Sean Connery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-connery/) > [I would never commit the positively anti-social action of robbing a bank, or worse still, working in one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/i-would-never-commit-the-positively-anti-social-action-of-robbing-a/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Of the maxims of orthodox finance none, surely, is more anti-social than the fetish of liquidity, the doctrine of that it is a positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/of-the-maxims-of-orthodox-finance-none-surely-is-more-anti-social/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [Being anti-social can also mean that you're aware of how annoying it is to be social.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/being-anti-social-can-also-mean-that-you-re-aware-of-how-annoying-it/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [“I don't think I'm anti-social. I just like to be alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gin-getz/i-don-t-think-i-m-anti-social-i-just-like-to-be-alone/) Gin Getz > [I am as sure as I am of the fact of Christ's reign, that a comprehensive and centralised system of national education, separated from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-alexander-hodge/i-am-as-sure-as-i-am-of-the-fact-of-christ-s-reign-that-a/) [Archibald Alexander Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-alexander-hodge/) > [Human envy is certainly not one of the sources of discontent that a free society can eliminate. It is probably one of the essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/human-envy-is-certainly-not-one-of-the-sources-of-discontent-that-a/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [I really need a friend I can talk to about my anti social behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/i-really-need-a-friend-i-can-talk-to-about-my-anti-social-behavior/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [You don't need to go far to see the hatred and abuse that happens online. Even using social media is anti-social because people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-chieng/you-don-t-need-to-go-far-to-see-the-hatred-and-abuse-that-happens/) [Ronny Chieng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-chieng/) > [Instead of recognizing the State as ‘the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious and decent men,’ the run of mankind, with rare exceptions, regards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/instead-of-recognizing-the-state-as-the-common-enemy-of-all-well-2/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [People call me ANTI-SOCIAL, but I am not, i just dont have FUCKS TO SPARE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushant-sagar/people-call-me-anti-social-but-i-am-not-i-just-dont-have-fucks-to/) Sushant Sagar Browse all 95 Anti social quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I thought how true it was that the world was a delightful place if it were not for the people, and how more than true it was that people were not worth troubling about, and that wise men should set their affections upon nothing smaller than cities, heavenly or otherwise, and countrysides which are always heavenly.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Katherine Mansfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world-was-a-delightful-place-if-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anti social" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world-was-a-delightful-place-if-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb6/katherine-mansfield-1781_anti-social_i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world_243184.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I thought how true it was that the world was a delightful place if it were not for the people, and how more…” — Katherine Mansfield", "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": "Katherine Mansfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I thought how true it was...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world-was-a-delightful-place-if-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/i-thought-how-true-it-was-that-the-world-was-a-delightful-place-if-it/#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 } } ] } ```