While loneliness is the state of feeling unhappy because of being alone, solitude is a condition of peace from one’s choice to be alone. Loneliness is a prison of the mind, where one involuntarily resides, but constantly longs to escape, whereas solitude is a peaceful and quiet garden, where one is content with the absence of others. With happiness the ultimate goal, or the top of the ladder, loneliness is a step down, while solitude is a step up, leading to contentment and eventually happiness. Solitude is much preferable to loneliness, because it does not induce sadness, but instead contentment, and ultimately happiness.
Throughout Barbara