--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable…" description: "\"“When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable fortress, whittling away my life, I wanted to know this.\" \"Looks like you're still there, Shura.\" \"No,\" he sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png" --- # When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable fortress… ![“When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable fortress, whittling away my life, I wanted to know this." "Looks like you're still there, Shura." "No," he said. "I'm in New York, a fly on the wall, trying to see you without me.” quote by Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png) > ““When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable fortress, whittling away my life, I wanted to know this." "Looks like you're still there, Shura." "No," he said. "I'm in New York, a fly on the wall, trying to see you without me.”” [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A prisoner in Colditz longs for connection, imagining a distant lover watching him. **In simple terms:** Loneliness fuels yearning for love. Key Takeaway Seek meaningful connections despite isolation. Themes loneliness longing imagination Mood melancholic hopeful Type literary emotional When to use this quote - wartime letters - virtual communication - personal reflection Key Concepts war captivity emotional yearning Questions to Reflect On - What does longing reveal about self? - How can we find connection in confinement? A Different Perspective The imagined scenario may be unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) ## Related quotes > [“They're an impenetrable fortress of unknowability, really.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/they-re-an-impenetrable-fortress-of-unknowability-really/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Whenever a stray thought about Aaron, Taylor, or their relationship with Molly wanders into view, I push it into the folder near the back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rysa-walker/whenever-a-stray-thought-about-aaron-taylor-or-their-relationship/) [Rysa Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rysa-walker/) > [“Doing this always calmed her. It was like imagining the protective walls of an impenetrable fortress. She”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liane-moriarty/doing-this-always-calmed-her-it-was-like-imagining-the-protective/) [Liane Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liane-moriarty/) > [I'd really love to watch David Lynch work, to be a fly on the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-unkrich/i-d-really-love-to-watch-david-lynch-work-to-be-a-fly-on-the-wall/) [Lee Unkrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-unkrich/) > [“Love is like a fly on the wall, you must catch it while you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-janlynnette-mccormick/love-is-like-a-fly-on-the-wall-you-must-catch-it-while-you-can/) Rachael JanLynnette McCormick > [I'm a fan of the fly-on-the-wall-type documentary, even if I'm not particularly interested in the location of the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-millican/i-m-a-fan-of-the-fly-on-the-wall-type-documentary-even-if-i-m-not/) [Sarah Millican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-millican/) > [Whenever I'm around Spanish people, I'm kind of like a fly on the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rico-nasty/whenever-i-m-around-spanish-people-i-m-kind-of-like-a-fly-on-the-wall/) [Rico Nasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rico-nasty/) > [“Darzi like he was a fly on the wall. Watching”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-lee-deleo/darzi-like-he-was-a-fly-on-the-wall-watching/) Bernard Lee DeLeo > [I'd rather be the fly on the wall,then the fly deep in shit!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-amshey/i-d-rather-be-the-fly-on-the-wall-then-the-fly-deep-in-shit/) [Terri Amshey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-amshey/) > [No, I was an unknown when I walked in that room. He didn't know who I was from a fly on the wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shia-labeouf/no-i-was-an-unknown-when-i-walked-in-that-room-he-didn-t-know-who-i/) [Shia LaBeouf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shia-labeouf/) > [There is no fortress so strong that money cannot take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/there-is-no-fortress-so-strong-that-money-cannot-take-it/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“For twenty years, Peter had been playing with soldiers; first toys, then boys, then grown men. His games had grown from drills involving a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-massie/for-twenty-years-peter-had-been-playing-with-soldiers-first-toys-then/) [Robert K. Massie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-massie/) > [“Let the sandcastle collapse. In its place, I will build a fortress—one that the waves of nature and time could never destroy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/let-the-sandcastle-collapse-in-its-place-i-will-build-a-fortress-one/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [Israel is becoming a fortress. Fences along the borders with Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/israel-is-becoming-a-fortress-fences-along-the-borders-with-egypt/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) ## More by Paullina Simons > [“You think she needs a chaperone?” When they didn’t answer, the nun tutted disapprovingly. “Let me explain something to you, Mrs. Attaviano, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/you-think-she-needs-a-chaperone-when-they-didn-t-answer-the-nun/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [When Tatiana looked up from her ice cream, she saw a soldier staring at her from across the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/when-tatiana-looked-up-from-her-ice-cream-she-saw-a-soldier-staring/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“I saved you for me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/i-saved-you-for-me/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“You want to know what I thought of in that boat? I thought, I have to stay alive. Tatiasha will never forgive me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/you-want-to-know-what-i-thought-of-in-that-boat-i-thought-i-have-to/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [Tatiana had imagined her Alexander since she was a child, before she believed that someone like him was even possible. When she was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/tatiana-had-imagined-her-alexander-since-she-was-a-child-before-she/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“Alexander: “First we will send the frontovik into the streets with guns. When they are dead, we will send me, with a tank, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/alexander-first-we-will-send-the-frontovik-into-the-streets-with-guns/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“Have a joke for me Tania," he says, "I could use a joke." "Hmm." She thinks, looks at him, looks to see where Anthony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/have-a-joke-for-me-tania-he-says-i-could-use-a-joke-hmm-she-thinks/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [I'm going to die with Alexander's hand on my face, Tatiana thought. That is not a bad way to die. I cannot move. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/i-m-going-to-die-with-alexander-s-hand-on-my-face-tatiana-thought/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“They came with their children, for no one left the children behind - it was for the children they had come, wanting to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/they-came-with-their-children-for-no-one-left-the-children-behind-it/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [We can’t forget that I owe you my life.” She gazed at him. “We can’t forget that I belong to you.” “I like that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/we-can-t-forget-that-i-owe-you-my-life-she-gazed-at-him-we-can-t/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“Come on,” he said quietly, bending to her and lifting her whole into his arms. He carried her inside. After setting her down next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/come-on-he-said-quietly-bending-to-her-and-lifting-her-whole-into-his/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [Alexander knew that before he had light instead of darkness, he had to deserve light instead of darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/alexander-knew-that-before-he-had-light-instead-of-darkness-he-had-to/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“What a prison you have set up for me with your first love.” She put her arms tighter around him and said teasingly, “Oh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/what-a-prison-you-have-set-up-for-me-with-your-first-love-she-put-her/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [Please stop looking at me, she thought, afraid of his eyes and terrified of her own heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/please-stop-looking-at-me-she-thought-afraid-of-his-eyes-and/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) > [“We’re moving cities, we’re changing our name just like this hotel. You call that all right?” “Yes,” she said. “We still have each other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/we-re-moving-cities-we-re-changing-our-name-just-like-this-hotel-you/) [Paullina Simons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) [Explore all 230 Paullina Simons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/) ## More Fortress quotes > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Israel is becoming a fortress. Fences along the borders with Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/israel-is-becoming-a-fortress-fences-along-the-borders-with-egypt/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [“Let the sandcastle collapse. In its place, I will build a fortress—one that the waves of nature and time could never destroy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/let-the-sandcastle-collapse-in-its-place-i-will-build-a-fortress-one/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [“For twenty years, Peter had been playing with soldiers; first toys, then boys, then grown men. His games had grown from drills involving a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-massie/for-twenty-years-peter-had-been-playing-with-soldiers-first-toys-then/) [Robert K. Massie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-massie/) > [There is no fortress so strong that money cannot take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/there-is-no-fortress-so-strong-that-money-cannot-take-it/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“I dream of a fortress so strong it can lock out the past.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mako-yoshikawa/i-dream-of-a-fortress-so-strong-it-can-lock-out-the-past/) Mako Yoshikawa > [“If I succeed in mentally constructing a fortress from which it is impossible to escape, this conceived fortress either will be the same as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/if-i-succeed-in-mentally-constructing-a-fortress-from-which-it-is/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [“The fortress was entered by tunnels in the rock, and, over the entrance to each tunnel, there was a notice which said: EVERYTHING NOT…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-white/the-fortress-was-entered-by-tunnels-in-the-rock-and-over-the-entrance/) [T.H. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-h-white/) > [“The black ash that inundated the island was suitable for a superior quality of concrete, and the resulting caves, bunkers, pillboxes and large rooms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-black-ash-that-inundated-the-island-was-suitable-for-a-superior/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Neither a Fortress nor a Maidenhead will hold out long after they begin to parley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/neither-a-fortress-nor-a-maidenhead-will-hold-out-long-after-they/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“A fortress built long ago, Walls made timeless by historic glory. The small girl in the boat slows, To listen to its story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-lewis/a-fortress-built-long-ago-walls-made-timeless-by-historic-glory-the/) Rachel Lewis > [“God is my fortress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/god-is-my-fortress/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [My distinguishing feature is the gap between my teeth. I had to wear a brace because my teeth used to stick out like guns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-birkin/my-distinguishing-feature-is-the-gap-between-my-teeth-i-had-to-wear-a/) [Jane Birkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-birkin/) > [There is no sanctuary so holy that money cannot profane it, no fortress so strong that money cannot take it by storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/there-is-no-sanctuary-so-holy-that-money-cannot-profane-it-no/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [His Name will never fall. His Name will never be defeated. His Name will never be reduced to rubble. A tower that’s stronger than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-curtis-higgs/his-name-will-never-fall-his-name-will-never-be-defeated-his-name/) [Liz Curtis Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-curtis-higgs/) Browse all 108 Fortress quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable fortress, whittling away my life, I wanted to know this.\" \"Looks like you're still there, Shura.\" \"No,\" he said. \"I'm in New York, a fly on the wall, trying to see you without me.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paullina Simons" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable-fortress-whittling-away-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fortress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable-fortress-whittling-away-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e9/paullina-simons-1314_fortress_when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable_2436623.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was in Colditz, that impenetrable fortress, whittling away my life, I wanted to know this.\" \"Looks…” — Paullina Simons", "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": "Paullina Simons", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paullina-simons/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“When I was in Colditz, that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable-fortress-whittling-away-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paullina-simons/when-i-was-in-colditz-that-impenetrable-fortress-whittling-away-my/#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 } } ] } ```