There is only one solitude, and it is vast, heavy, difficult to bear, and almost everyone has hours when he would gladly exchange it for any kind of sociability, however trivial or cheap, for the tiniest outward agreement with the first person who comes along.
Interpretation
Solitude can be overwhelming, leading many to seek out even superficial connections for relief.
In this quote, Rainer Maria Rilke reflects on the profound weight of solitude and the human desire for connection. He suggests that solitude is a common experience that many find burdensome, prompting them to seek companionship or any form of sociability, regardless of its significance, as a means to alleviate their feelings of isolation.
In practice
In a speech about mental health, one might quote Rilke to highlight the importance of community support.
Spring has again returned. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Earth is like a child that knows many poems._x000D_ _x000D_ Many, O so many. For the hardship_x000D_ _x000D_ of such long learning she receives the prize._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Strict was her teacher. _x000D_ _x000D_ The white in the old man's beard pleases us._x000D_ _x000D_ Now, what to call green, to call blue,_x000D_ _x000D_ we dare to ask: She knows, She knows!
Verses are not, as people think, feelings (those one has early enough) -- they are experiences. For the sake of a verse one must see many cities, men, and things, one must know the animals feel how birds fly, and know the gesture with which the little flowers open in the morning.
a good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude
He reproduced himself with so much humble objectivity, with the unquestioning, matter of fact interest of a dog who sees himself in a mirror and thinks: there's another dog.
The only journey is the one within.
And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been
Many people feel "guilty" about things they shouldn't feel guilty about, in order to shut out feelings of guilt about things they should feel guilty about.
Taking the State wherever found, striking into its history at any point, one sees no way to differentiate the activities of its founders, administrators and beneficiaries from those of a professional-criminal class.
Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.
How difficult it is to avoid having a special standard for oneself.
Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.
The only freedom supposed to be left to the masses is that of grazing on the ration of simulacra the system distributes to each individual.
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