Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character. - Among My Books, 1870.

Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character. - Among My Books, 1870.

Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. Man is the only being who knows he is alone. - read more

Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. Man is the only being who knows he is alone. - The Labyrinth of Solitude, 1950.

Solitude is the playfield of Satan. - Pale Fire, 1962.

Solitude is the playfield of Satan. - Pale Fire, 1962.

Children love to be alone because alone is where they know themselves, and where they dream. - The Man in read more

Children love to be alone because alone is where they know themselves, and where they dream. - The Man in the Water, 1994.

Oh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of oppression and deceit, of unsuccessful and successful wars read more

Oh to have a lodge in some vast wilderness. Where rumors of oppression and deceit, of unsuccessful and successful wars may never reach me anymore.

Separation penetrates the disappearing person like a pigment and steeps him in gentle radiance.

Separation penetrates the disappearing person like a pigment and steeps him in gentle radiance.

He never is alone that is accompanied with noble thoughts. - Love's Cure, 1647.

He never is alone that is accompanied with noble thoughts. - Love's Cure, 1647.

The time to stop talking is when the other person nods his head affirmatively but says nothing.

The time to stop talking is when the other person nods his head affirmatively but says nothing.

There are places and moments in which one is so completely alone that one sees the world entire. - Journal, read more

There are places and moments in which one is so completely alone that one sees the world entire. - Journal, December, 1900.