May Sarton Solitude Quotations

There is no doubt that solitude is a challenge and to maintain balance within it a precarious business. But I must not forget that, for me, being with people or even with one beloved person for any length of time without solitude is even worse. I lose my center. I feel dispersed, scattered, in pieces. I must have time alone in which to mull over my encounter, and to extract its juice, its essence, to understand what has really happened to me as a consequence of it.

I simply adore being alone - I find it a consuming thirst - and when that thirst is slaked, then I am happy.

The value of solitude - one of its values - is, of course, that there is nothing to cushion against attacks from within, just as there is nothing to help balance at times of particular stress or depression...

Once more I realize that solitude is my element, and the reason is that extreme awareness of other people (all naturally solitary people must feel this) precludes awareness of one's self, so after a while the self no longer knows that it exists.

Solitude is the salt of personhood. It brings out the authentic flavor of every experience.

Life comes in clusters, clusters of solitude, then a cluster when there is hardly time to breathe.

There is a wilder solitude in winter When every sense is pricked alive and keen.

Solitude is one thing and loneliness is another.

At any moment solitude may put on the face of loneliness.