9 Quotes You Should Know About the Power of Solitude

by Nichola K. Brown, LICSW
Solitude is a necessary and important part of our humanity. It is also an important part of the creative process. Paying attention to the time when we need to withdraw is the ultimate sign of self-preservation and self-love. When we ignore these times we may not be able to offer the very best version of ourselves and my even cause us to be stuck both personally and professionally. These quotes are great reminder of the power of rest and solitude. Give yourself permission to rest and feed your soul.


The quieter you become, the more you can hear. – Ram Dass
“In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.”
― Rollo May

The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. No big laboratory is needed in which to think. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born. – Nikola Tesla

“We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.”
― C.S. Lewis

“I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel." Audrey Hepburn

“The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.”  ― Aldous Huxley

“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion." ― Albert Camus

“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.”  ― Albert Einstein
“We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence and aloneness with God, together as a community as well as personally; to be alone with Him — not with our books, thoughts, and memories but completely stripped of everything — to dwell lovingly in His presence, silent, empty, expectant, and motionless. We cannot find God in noise or agitation.”
― Mother Teresa

Photo: Shutterstock

Nichola K. Brown, LICSW is a therapist as well as a life and wellness coach. She is author of the book, “Sabbath Season: A Call to Rest”