The True Individual

True individuality is measured by this: how long or how far one can endure being alone without the understanding of others. The person who can endure being alone is poles apart from the social mixer. This person is miles apart from the one who manages successfully with everyone – the one who possesses no sharp edges. God never uses such people. The true individual, anyone who is going to be directly involved with God, will not and cannot avoid the human bite. The true individual will be thoroughly misunderstood. God is no friend of cozy human gathering.

Søren Kierkegaard, Provocations