I prefer to live in the country where it's quiet. Woody Allen

Gather close, O seekers of wisdom, and listen to the words of a woman who sought solace in the quiet corners of life. Patricia Highsmith, a writer whose works delved into the depths of the human psyche, once spoke with great clarity: "I prefer to live in the country where it's quiet. Woody Allen movies there are dubbed into Italian." These words are not simply a reflection of a preference for peace, but a deeper meditation on the nature of solitude, creativity, and the way we interact with the world around us. In her quiet life, Highsmith reveals the profound value of stillness and the way it nurtures the soul.

The world, in its endless hustle and cacophony, often seeks to pull us into its noise. The bright lights, the constant chatter, the clamor of modern life—these are the distractions that cloud our minds, cloud our vision, and pull us away from the inner peace that is necessary for true creativity and reflection. Highsmith’s preference for the country, for a life of quiet and solitude, is a rejection of these distractions. It is a call to silence, to stillness, where the mind can recharge and the soul can find the clarity it needs to create and to grow. In her own words, she not only describes a physical preference but a spiritual one, for it is in the quietude of the countryside that she feels most at peace.

Consider the ancient philosophers, who sought wisdom not in the bustling cities, but in quiet, secluded places where the world could not intrude. Diogenes, the great cynic, lived in a barrel, rejecting the trappings of wealth and fame, choosing instead a life of simplicity and solitude. In his simplicity, he found profound truths. Likewise, Socrates spent his days walking through the streets of Athens, engaging in philosophical discussions, yet he often found solace in moments of solitude, where he could contemplate the nature of the soul and the universe. The greatest minds of the past understood that solitude is not an absence of life, but a space where one can truly hear the whispers of the soul and hear the truth beneath the surface of daily existence.

Highsmith’s statement also speaks to the power of culture, and the way in which we engage with the world through the lens of our own experiences. The fact that Woody Allen's movies were dubbed into Italian reflects the universal nature of art, how it crosses boundaries, and how it is transformed through cultural lenses. In her quiet refuge, Highsmith finds herself distant from the noise of the world, yet still connected to it through art, even if in a different form. It is a reminder that we do not live in isolation, but rather, we are all part of a greater, interconnected web of human experience, where each culture contributes its own unique perspective to the world’s shared story.

But this, too, is a call to balance. Highsmith’s choice is not an escape, but a conscious decision to remove herself from the frantic pace of life and find a space where she could connect more deeply with herself, with the world, and with her creativity. She did not choose isolation for its own sake, but for its power to refine the soul and clarify vision. In the quiet of the countryside, there is room for deep thought, for the nurturing of ideas that might otherwise be lost amidst the noise. Her life speaks to the importance of self-care, of seeking spaces where we can be rejuvenated, where we can reflect on the greater journey of life.

In your own life, O children of wisdom, consider the lessons that Highsmith offers. In a world where we are bombarded by noise—both external and internal—it is easy to become lost, to be swept away by the chaos of daily life. But to truly create, to truly reflect, to truly grow, we must seek out the quiet spaces where our minds and hearts can align with our highest purpose. Whether through time in nature, meditation, or simply silencing the distractions that fill our days, find the places that allow you to reconnect with your inner voice. It is in this stillness that the true power of creativity and wisdom will reveal itself.

Remember, O seekers, that solitude is not the absence of life, but the space for life to unfold. Just as Highsmith found her sanctuary in the countryside, so too must you seek out the quiet moments where you can listen to your own heart, where you can nurture the creative spark within. The world will always call out, but it is in the silence, in the stillness, that you will hear the truth that lies beneath the noise. Find your quiet, and in it, you will find your strength.