"Cuanto más se aleja el hombre del mundo que lo rodea, más se aleja también de su propio mundo interior."
— Erich Fromm
Simplified Meaning:
When people distance themselves from others and their surroundings, they also lose touch with their own feelings and thoughts. For example, if someone spends all their time alone, avoiding friends and family, they might start to feel lonely and unhappy. They may begin to forget what makes them happy or what they truly want in life. It's like building a wall between themselves and the world that also blocks their understanding of themselves. Imagine someone who quits their social clubs, stops talking to friends, and just works all the time. They might think they’re focusing on important stuff, but actually, they're also cutting off the things that bring joy and meaning. This can lead to not understanding their own needs and emotions. To avoid this, it’s important to stay connected with the people and activities that matter to us. By interacting with the world, we better understand our place in it, which helps us know ourselves better. So, keeping a balance between alone time and social interaction helps us stay mentally healthy and self-aware. By staying involved with the world around us, we can keep a clear picture of who we are and what we need to be happy.