Communes Quote by Susan Sontag
“It's not 'natural' to speak well, eloquently, in an interesting, articulate way. People living in groups, families, communes say little - have few verbal means. Eloquence - thinking in words - is a byproduct of solitude, deracination, a heightened painful individuality. In groups, it's more natural to sing, to dance, to pray: given, rather than invented (individual) speech.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Eloquence,” 1975
Argues that eloquent speech emerges from solitude and individual struggle, not communal habits.
In simple terms: Solitude breeds thoughtful speech.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate reflective time for deeper expression.
Themes
language
solitude
creativity
culture
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- writing retreats
- solo research
- personal journaling
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
individualism
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does solitude shape your voice?
- Can group interaction also foster eloquence?
A Different Perspective
May undervalue communal oral traditions and shared knowledge.
![“Anthropology has always struggled with an intense, fascinated repulsion towards its subject… [The anthropologist] submits himself to the exotic to confirm his own inner alienation as an urban intellectual.” quote by Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe1/susan-sontag-332_alienation_anthropology-has-always-struggled-with-a_15322.jpg)
