Philosophy advocates neither the permanent association with society nor the permanent retirement into solitude. It does not vaunt the home at the expense of the monastery or the monastery at the expense of the home. It takes no side in any absolute manner, but it makes use of both in the fullness of its own discretion. It says that at one time or at a certain stage, society will be helpful or even necessary to a man, whereas at another stage or at another time, solitude will be not less necessary and not less helpful. It says that to remain in society when the inner prompting is to go into solitude is to turn society into an evil thing; but on the other hand, to remain in solitude when the inner bidding is to go forth among one's fellows again is equally wrong. A man's need in these matters must be dictated by his personal circumstances on the outside, and by his intuitive feeling on the inside; and if he is in any doubt as to where his duty lies he has to find and consult a competent spiritual director, who will quickly put him on the right track. But, we repeat, philosophy cannot be tied down to any disciplinary formula which is to be prescribed freely to all men and at all times. It is hostile neither to retirement from the world nor to activity in the world, but includes both as being, at different times, part of the philosophic life and needful to a well-balanced temperament.
-- Notebooks Category 3: Relax and Retreat > Chapter 1 : Take Intermittent Pauses > # 81
