Celibacy Quote by Samuel Johnson
“To live without feeling or exciting sympathy, to be fortunate without adding to the felicity of others, or afflicted without tasting the balm of pity, is a state more gloomy than solitude; it is not retreat, but exclusion from mankind. Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, 1759, published in The Adventurer periodical
Living without empathy or shared joy makes one more isolated than solitude; it is not a retreat but a self‑imposed exile, and while marriage brings pain, celibacy offers no pleasure.
In simple terms: Lack of sympathy isolates you more than being alone; both marriage and celibacy have drawbacks.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate empathy to avoid isolation.
Themes
human relationships
empathy
loneliness
marriage
celibacy
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
somber
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- family life
- personal introspection
- mental health
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
social connection
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true connection require beyond feeling sympathy?
- Can solitude ever be fulfilling without empathy?
A Different Perspective
Empathy alone may not resolve deeper loneliness.
