Great Things Through Solitude

A man who strives after great things, looks upon every one whom he encounters on his way either as a means of advance, or a delay and hindrance - or as a temporary resting-place. His peculiar lofty bounty to his fellow-men is only possible when he attains his elevation and dominates. Impatience, and the consciousness of being always condemned to comedy up to that time - for even strife is a comedy, and conceals the end, as every means does - spoil all intercourse for him; this kind of man is acquainted with solitude, and what is most poisonous in it.

Friedrich Nietzsche, in 'Beyond Good and Evil'