Life Quote by Marcel Proust
““In the case of the solitary, his seclusion, even when it is absolute and ends only with life itself, has often as its primary cause a disordered love of the crowd, which so far overruled every other feeling that, not being able to win, when he goes out, the admiration of his hall-porter, of the passers-by, of the cabman whom he hails, he prefers not to be seen by them at all, and with that object abandons every activity that would oblige him to go out of doors.””
About This Quote
Source Book: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 1, Swann's Way, Marcel Proust, 1913
The solitary avoids social interaction because his deep, unhealthy desire for approval from strangers drives him to withdraw completely, even to the point of isolation.
In simple terms: He shuns crowds due to a distorted need for admiration.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address unhealthy approval seeking.
Themes
loneliness
social anxiety
approval seeking
withdrawal
Mood
reflective
somber
introspective
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- public speaking
- mental health therapy
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
self-esteem
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your need for external validation?
- How can you find self-worth without others' approval?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding crowds may protect from rejection but deepens isolation.
![“For her [Françoise], wealth was like a necessary condition without which virtue would lack both merit and charm. She made so little distinction between the two that she came to see their qualities as interchangeable, expecting material comfort from virtue and moral edification from wealth.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/marcel-proust-114_character_for-her-fran-oise-wealth-was-like-a-nece_2687.jpg)
