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Ich bin auf der Welt zu allein und doch nicht allein genug, um jede Studen zu weihen. Ich bin auf der Welt zu gering und doch nicht klein genug, um vor dir zu sein wie ein Ding, dunkel und klug. Ich will meinen Willen und will meinen Willen begleiten die Wege zur Tat; und will in stillen, irgendwie zorgernden Zeiten, wenn etwas naht, unter den Wissenden sein oder allein.

Rainer Maria Rilke#19

MotivationActionExistentialismLonelinessWill

About this quote

What does it mean?
I am too alone yet not alone enough to devote every hour; I am too small yet not too small to be before you as a dark, wise thing; I will follow my will to action, and in quiet, anxious times I will be among the knowing or alone.
In plain terms
I feel both isolated and insufficient, yet I will act with purpose, even in anxious solitude.
What can you take from it?
Act purposefully despite feelings of loneliness or inadequacy.

Where it applies

  • creative block
  • existential crisis

Putting it to work

  • set small goals
  • embrace solitude for reflection

Questions to consider

  • How does loneliness fuel creativity?
  • What does it mean to be 'not alone enough'?

Another view

The language is ambiguous, making concrete advice hard.

More from Rainer Maria Rilke

  1. Extinguish my sight, and I can still see you; plug up my ears, and I can still hear; even without feet I can walk toward you, and without mouth I can still imp…

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  2. Aus unendlichen Sehnsuchten steigen endliche Taten wie schwache Fontanen, die sich zeitig und zitternd neigen. Aber, die sich uns sonst verschweigen, unsere fr…

    Permalink to quote #20
  3. What is required of us is that we love the difficult and learn to deal with it. In the difficult are the friendly forces, the hands that work on us. Right in t…

    Permalink to quote #17

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