If you notice that solitude is great, br rejoice because of this. br For what would solitude be br that had no greatness? There is br but one solitude, and that is great, br and not easy to bear, br and to almost everybody come hours br when they would gladly erxchange it for any sort of intercourse, br however banal and cheap; with the first comer, br with the unworthiest... br br but perhaps those are the very hours br when solitude grows, for br its growing is as painful as the growing of boys br and sad as the beginning of springtimes. br br To be solitary, the way one was solitary as a child, br when the grownups went around involved with things br that seemed important and big br because they themselves looked so busy br and because one comprehended nothing of their doings. br br Be close to things; they will not desert you; br there are the nights still br and the winds that go through the trees br and across many lands; br among things and with the animals br everything is still full of happening br in which you may participate; br br and children are still the way you were as a child, br sad like that and happy, br - and if you think of your childhood br you live among them again.