Accepting Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
“Each one of us is alone in the world. He is shut in a tower of brass, and can communicate with his fellows only by signs, and the signs have no common value, so that their sense is vague and uncertain. We seek pitifully to convey to others the treasures of our heart, but they have not the power to accept them, and so we go lonely, side by side but not together, unable to know our fellows and unknown by them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Tower of Brass", 1930
Human communication is limited by personal symbols, leading to isolation despite proximity.
In simple terms: We are alone because our signs differ.
Key Takeaway
Seek shared meaning beyond symbols.
Themes
loneliness
communication
misunderstanding
human condition
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- online messaging
- multicultural teams
- family gatherings
Key Concepts
semiotics
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What common language can bridge gaps?
- How do we recognize others’ inner treasures?
A Different Perspective
Shared symbols can also be misinterpreted.
