Quote by Joseph Conrad

Who knows what true loneliness is -- not the conventional word, but the naked terror? To the lonely themselves it wears a mask. The most miserable outcast hugs some memory or some illusion. Now and then a fatal conjunction of events may lift the veil for an instant. For an instant only. No human being could bear a steady view of moral solitude without going mad.


Who knows what true loneliness is -- not the conventional wo

Summary

This quote highlights the complexity of loneliness and the unbearable nature of true solitude. It suggests that loneliness is not always what it seems, as even the most isolated individuals find comfort in memories or illusions. However, every so often, a series of unfortunate events may expose the terrifying reality of being truly alone. The quote implies that prolonged exposure to moral solitude would inevitably drive one to madness, emphasizing the profound impact of genuine loneliness on the human psyche.

By Joseph Conrad
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