Oh, lost to virtue - lost to manly thought, lost to the noble sallies of the soul! Who think it solitude to be alone

Oh, lost to virtue - lost to manly thought, lost to the noble sallies of the soul! Who think it solitude to be alone

Edward Young was a renowned English poet and playwright known for his deep and introspective works that often delved into themes of morality, virtue, and the human condition. In his poem "Night Thoughts," Young explores the idea of solitude and the loss of virtue and manly thought that can come from isolating oneself from the world.

The line "Oh, lost to virtue - lost to manly thought, lost to the noble sallies of the soul! Who think it solitude to be alone" speaks to the idea that true solitude is not simply being alone physically, but rather a state of mind in which one is disconnected from the virtues and noble thoughts that make us truly human. Young laments those who mistake isolation for solitude, as true solitude should be a time for reflection, introspection, and growth, rather than a retreat from the world and its challenges.