--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The value of solitude—one of its…" description: "\"“The value of solitude—one of its values—is, of course, that there is nothing to cushion against attacks from within, just as there is nothing to help ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/may-sarton-897_depression_the-value-of-solitude-one-of-its-values_2119062.jpg" --- # The value of solitude—one of its values—is, of course… ![“The value of solitude—one of its values—is, of course, that there is nothing to cushion against attacks from within, just as there is nothing to help balance at times of particular stress or depression. So sometimes one has simply to endure a period of depression for what it may hold of…” quote by May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/may-sarton-897_depression_the-value-of-solitude-one-of-its-values_2119062.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/may-sarton-897_depression_the-value-of-solitude-one-of-its-values_2119062.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/may-sarton-897_depression_the-value-of-solitude-one-of-its-values_2119062.jpg) > ““The value of solitude—one of its values—is, of course, that there is nothing to cushion against attacks from within, just as there is nothing to help balance at times of particular stress or depression. So sometimes one has simply to endure a period of depression for what it may hold of illumination if one can live through it, attentive to what it exposes or demands. The reasons for depression are not so interesting as the way one handles it, simply to stay alive.”” [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Solitude forces confronting inner turmoil without distraction, revealing insight if endured, and the focus is on coping rather than causes. **In simple terms:** Being alone reveals inner challenges; handling them matters more than why they appear. Key Takeaway Endure discomfort to gain insight. Themes solitude inner conflict resilience Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - creative work - personal retreats - mental health recovery Key Concepts psychology existentialism self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance solitude with external support? - What practices help transform inner pain into insight? A Different Perspective Enduring depression alone can exacerbate isolation and risk without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The value of solitude - one of its values - is, of course, that there is nothing to cushion against attacks from within, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/the-value-of-solitude-one-of-its-values-is-of-course-that-there-is/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Sometimes one has simply to endure a period of depression for what it may hold of illumination if one can live through it, attentive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/sometimes-one-has-simply-to-endure-a-period-of-depression-for-what-it/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Depression is not interesting to watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-pitt/depression-is-not-interesting-to-watch/) [Brad Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-pitt/) > [“ONE OF THE REASONS that depression is so problematic—and deadly, leading to many of the forty thousand suicides in the United States each year—is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wolf-shenk/one-of-the-reasons-that-depression-is-so-problematic-and-deadly/) [Joshua Wolf Shenk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wolf-shenk/) > [The concept of the "good ol' days" must be one of our society's biggest delusions, top reasons for depression, as well as most often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-concept-of-the-good-ol-days-must-be-one-of-our-society-s-biggest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no fulfillment in things whatsoever. 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Sometimes the beautiful things are right in your reach but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everance-caiser/just-another-case-of-sometimes-sometimes-fates-plans-are-different/) [Everance Caiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everance-caiser/) > [“Don't matter if you're rich and strong Don't matter if you're weak Don't matter if you write a song The nightingales repeat Don't matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/don-t-matter-if-you-re-rich-and-strong-don-t-matter-if-you-re-weak/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [Did he just say--?" "Yes," Claire said, smiling. "Yes, he did." "Whoa. Guess I'd better stay alive, then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/did-he-just-say-yes-claire-said-smiling-yes-he-did-whoa-guess-i-d/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) ## More by May Sarton > [“I felt pain like an assault, The old pain again When the world thrusts itself inside, When we have to take in the outside,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/i-felt-pain-like-an-assault-the-old-pain-again-when-the-world-thrusts/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Most people have to talk so they won't hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/most-people-have-to-talk-so-they-won-t-hear/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [People who cannot feel punish those who do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/people-who-cannot-feel-punish-those-who-do/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [This suspension of one's own reality, this being entirely alone in a strange city (at times I wondered if I had lost the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/this-suspension-of-one-s-own-reality-this-being-entirely-alone-in-a/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/one-must-think-like-a-hero-to-behave-like-a-merely-decent-human-being/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [Real joy is becoming exceedingly rare among artists of any kind. 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