--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude…" description: "\"“Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude: \"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain to pray: and when the evening was come, he..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg" --- # Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude: "And when he had… ![“Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude: "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain to pray: and when the evening was come, he was alone" - Matthew 14.23. 'He was there alone.' So are we. Man [humankind] is alone because he/[she] is man [human]. In some way every creature…” quote by Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg) > ““Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude: "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain to pray: and when the evening was come, he was alone" - Matthew 14.23. 'He was there alone.' So are we. Man \[humankind\] is alone because he/\[she\] is man \[human\]. In some way every creature is alone...Loneliness can be conqured only by those who can bear solitude (1973:15 & 20). To overcome 'our' sense of aloness is a life long pursuite - let us not despair in its pursuite!”” [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Loneliness is inherent; solitude can be embraced and transformed into meaning **In simple terms:** Humans are fundamentally alone, but can find purpose in solitude Key Takeaway Find purpose within solitude Themes existentialism loneliness spirituality Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - meditation - retreats - creative work - counseling Key Concepts solitude as growth human condition Questions to Reflect On - How can solitude become a source of strength? - What practices help turn loneliness into growth? A Different Perspective Solitude can become isolation if not purposeful ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Loneliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loneliness/) [Solitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solitude/) ## Related quotes > [“Religion is the state of being grasped by an ultimate concern, a concern which qualifies all other concerns as preliminary and which itself contains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/religion-is-the-state-of-being-grasped-by-an-ultimate-concern-a-2/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [It is easier, of course, to find dignity in one's solitude. Loneliness is solitude with a problem. Can blue solve the problem, or can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-nelson/it-is-easier-of-course-to-find-dignity-in-one-s-solitude-loneliness/) [Maggie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-nelson/) > [Loneliness is a drug, a narcotic; it grows through veins, through nerves and muscles; it assumes some right of possession over your body and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-ellory/loneliness-is-a-drug-a-narcotic-it-grows-through-veins-through-nerves/) [R.J. Ellory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-ellory/) > [I shall lead you through the loneliness, the solitude you will not understand; but it is my shortcut to your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-shall-lead-you-through-the-loneliness-the-solitude-you-will-not/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“The first duty of love is to listen. Paul Tillich”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-parrott-iii/the-first-duty-of-love-is-to-listen-paul-tillich/) [Les Parrott III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-parrott-iii/) > [I'd like to turn the whole Jesus story around and look at it from a different vantage point, to consider that he was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/i-d-like-to-turn-the-whole-jesus-story-around-and-look-at-it-from-a/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [“In the great spiritual traditions of the world, attachments are seen as any concerns that usurp our desire for love, anything that becomes more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-g-may/in-the-great-spiritual-traditions-of-the-world-attachments-are-seen/) [Gerald G. May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-g-may/) > [I do not think of God theistically, that is, as a being, supernatural in power, who dwells beyond the limits of my world. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/i-do-not-think-of-god-theistically-that-is-as-a-being-supernatural-in/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [“The theologian Paul Tillich once observed that among scientists only physicists seem capable of using the word "God" without embarrassment. Whatever one's religion or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/the-theologian-paul-tillich-once-observed-that-among-scientists-only/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [We never really know what we want until after we get it. If after we get it, it makes life more miserable, we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/we-never-really-know-what-we-want-until-after-we-get-it-if-after-we/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [“The theologian Paul Tillich wrote that "loneliness can be conquered only by those who can bear solitude." Because the borderline finds solitude so difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerold-j-kreisman/the-theologian-paul-tillich-wrote-that-loneliness-can-be-conquered/) Jerold J. Kreisman > [“As Donald Trump was campaigning for the Republican nomination for president in 2016 he was asked, “Have you ever asked God for forgiveness?” He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hamilton/as-donald-trump-was-campaigning-for-the-republican-nomination-for/) [Adam Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hamilton/) > [“There's a difference between loneliness and solitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-e-smith/there-s-a-difference-between-loneliness-and-solitude/) [Jennifer E. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-e-smith/) > [Usually, we think that "good" loneliness is what we call "solitude," the choice of some alone-time. But I want to press on with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-l-dumm/usually-we-think-that-good-loneliness-is-what-we-call-solitude-the/) [Thomas L. Dumm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-l-dumm/) > [“Not loneliness, but solitude. Not suffering, but endurance, the discovery of grim kinship with the rocks and sky. And the finding here of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/not-loneliness-but-solitude-not-suffering-but-endurance-the-discovery/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More by Paul Tillich > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/faith-is-the-state-of-being-ultimately-concerned/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [ \[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/american-conformism-might-approximate-collectivism-not-so-much-in/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [There is no condition for forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/there-is-no-condition-for-forgiveness/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/he-who-risks-and-fails-can-be-forgiven-he-who-never-risks-and-never/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Symbols have one characteristic in common with signs; they point beyond themselves to something else. The red sign at the street corner points to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/symbols-have-one-characteristic-in-common-with-signs-they-point/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [In those who rest on their unshakable faith, pharisaism and fanaticism are the unmistakable symptoms of doubt which has been repressed. Doubt is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/in-those-who-rest-on-their-unshakable-faith-pharisaism-and-fanaticism/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [When you love someone and you love them with your heart, it never disappears when you're apart. Anh when you love someone and you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/when-you-love-someone-and-you-love-them-with-your-heart-it-never/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/being-religious-means-asking-passionately-the-question-of-the-meaning/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [The joy about our work is spoiled when we perform it not because of what we produce but because of the pleasure with which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-joy-about-our-work-is-spoiled-when-we-perform-it-not-because-of/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [In the courageous standing of uncertainty, faith shows most visibly its dynamic character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/in-the-courageous-standing-of-uncertainty-faith-shows-most-visibly/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [For love ... is the blood of life, the power of reunion in the separated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/for-love-is-the-blood-of-life-the-power-of-reunion-in-the-separated/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Man's ultimate concern must be expressed symbolically, because symbolic language alone is able to express the ultimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/man-s-ultimate-concern-must-be-expressed-symbolically-because/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [man is free, in so far as he has the power of contradicting himself and his essential nature. Man is free even from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/man-is-free-in-so-far-as-he-has-the-power-of-contradicting-himself/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [The citizens of a city are not guilty of the crimes committed in their city; but they are guilty as participants in the destiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-citizens-of-a-city-are-not-guilty-of-the-crimes-committed-in/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) [Explore all 136 Paul Tillich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude: \"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain to pray: and when the evening was come, he was alone\" - Matthew 14.23. 'He was there alone.' So are we. Man [humankind] is alone because he/[she] is man [human]. In some way every creature is alone...Loneliness can be conqured only by those who can bear solitude (1973:15 & 20). To overcome 'our' sense of aloness is a life long pursuite - let us not despair in its pursuite!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Tillich" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-when-he-had-sent-the-multitudes/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspirational" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-when-he-had-sent-the-multitudes/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/137/paul-tillich-3183_inspirational_paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-whe_394893.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude: \"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain…” — Paul Tillich", "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": "Paul Tillich", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Paul Tillich - Loneliness & Solitude:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-when-he-had-sent-the-multitudes/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/paul-tillich-loneliness-solitude-and-when-he-had-sent-the-multitudes/#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 } } ] } ```