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Literary
July 17, 1812
Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A philosophical essay contrasting retirement as beneficial for the mind with solitude as harmful, as it deprives the eye of objects, the heart of attachments, and the understanding of reciprocation, ultimately eroding character traits like tenderness, firmness, and humility.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
SOLITUDE.
Retirement is thought to be the best state
for the mind of man; solitude almost the worst.
In complete solitude the eye wants objects,
the heart wants attachments, the understanding
wants reciprocation. The character loses its
tenderness when it has nothing to love, its firmness
when it has none to strengthen it, its sweetness
when it has nothing to soothe it, its patience
when it meets no contradiction, its humility
when it is surrounded by dependents, and its
delicacy in the conversation of the uninformed.
Where the intercourse is very unequal, society
is somewhat worse than solitude.
Retirement is thought to be the best state
for the mind of man; solitude almost the worst.
In complete solitude the eye wants objects,
the heart wants attachments, the understanding
wants reciprocation. The character loses its
tenderness when it has nothing to love, its firmness
when it has none to strengthen it, its sweetness
when it has nothing to soothe it, its patience
when it meets no contradiction, its humility
when it is surrounded by dependents, and its
delicacy in the conversation of the uninformed.
Where the intercourse is very unequal, society
is somewhat worse than solitude.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Solitude
Retirement
Human Character
Social Interaction
Moral Reflection
Literary Details
Title
Solitude.
Key Lines
In Complete Solitude The Eye Wants Objects, The Heart Wants Attachments, The Understanding Wants Reciprocation.
The Character Loses Its Tenderness When It Has Nothing To Love, Its Firmness When It Has None To Strengthen It, Its Sweetness When It Has Nothing To Soothe It, Its Patience When It Meets No Contradiction, Its Humility When It Is Surrounded By Dependents, And Its Delicacy In The Conversation Of The Uninformed.
Where The Intercourse Is Very Unequal, Society Is Somewhat Worse Than Solitude.