“Nourish yourself with grand and austere ideas of beauty that feed the soul… Seek solitude.”

“I must work alone. I think that going into society from time to time, or just going out and seeing people, does not do much harm to one’s work and spiritual progress, in spite of what many so-called artists say to the contrary. Associating with people of that kind is far more dangerous; their conversation is always commonplace. I must go back to being alone. Moreover, I must try to live austerely, as Plato did. How can one keep one’s enthusiasm concentrated on a subject when one is always at the mercy of other people and in constant need of their society? … The things we experience for ourselves when we are alone are much stronger and much fresher. However pleasant it may be to communicate one’s emotions to a friend there are too many fine shades of feeling to be explained, and although each probably perceives them, he does so in his own way and thus the impression is weakened for both.”

Eugène Delacroix – 1798–1863.

Pop over to Maria Popova‘s blog “Brain Pickings” and read more about Delacroix and his thoughts on solitude.  While you are there, check out the many other fine and philosophical musings of her’s.