Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, neurological disorders or circumstances of employment or situation (see castaway).
Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think or rest without being disturbed. It may be desired for the sake of privacy.
A distinction has been made between solitude and loneliness. In this sense solitude is positive.
Read more about Solitude: Health Effects, Psychological Effects
Famous quotes containing the word solitude:
“On the tree, Future, we build our nest; and in our solitude eagles shall bring us nourishment in their beaks!”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of a crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“People who abhor solitude may abhor company almost as much.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)