They are all alike you know. They hold their tongues for years and you think you're safe, but when the opportunity comes they remember everything.
Edith WhartonRead
The real loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend!
Interpretation
What this quote means
True loneliness is feeling isolated even in the company of others who are kind but don't know your true self.
In this quote, Edith Wharton expresses the profound loneliness one can feel when surrounded by seemingly caring individuals who expect pretenses rather than authenticity. It highlights the emotional disconnect that can occur when individuals are unable to reveal their true selves due to the pressures of social expectations, creating a barrier to genuine connection and understanding.
Themes
LonelinessAuthenticityRelationshipsPretenseIsolation
In practice
Example use cases
Sharing this quote in a discussion about mental health and the importance of being genuine.
More from Edith Wharton
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There are two ways to spread happiness; either be the light who shines it or be the mirror who reflects it.
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