Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Individuality (AI summary)

Literary works treat “individuality” as a dynamic concept embodying both a personal essence and a counterpoint to conformity. Philosophical treatises articulate it as a core element of well-being and self-reliance, asserting that personal growth depends on preserving one’s distinct character [1][2]. At times, it is rendered as a celebrated mark of exceptional personality, even amidst social uniformity or collective movements [3][4], while other texts argue that societal pressures or imposed norms may stifle this uniqueness, risking both isolation and the loss of independent thought [5][6]. In broader reflections, authors question whether nurturing individuality ultimately enhances self-expression or if it might lead to excesses that undermine communal harmony [7][8], thereby revealing the rich, often paradoxical role of individuality throughout literature.
  1. OF INDIVIDUALITY, AS ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF WELL-BEING.
    — from On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
  2. No one can get beyond his own individuality.
    — from The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer: the Wisdom of Life by Arthur Schopenhauer
  3. This was principally due to her exceptional individuality.
    — from My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner
  4. But, in this class, as in all other classes, there are characters of marked individuality, even while they bear a general resemblance to the mass.
    — from My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass
  5. If, therefore, the Ideas are to become objects of knowledge, this can only happen by transcending the individuality of the knowing subject.
    — from The World as Will and Idea (Vol. 1 of 3) by Arthur Schopenhauer
  6. Fear strangles originality, daring, boldness; it kills individuality, and weakens all the mental processes.
    — from Pushing to the Front by Orison Swett Marden
  7. However that may be, individuality is a far more important thing than nationality, and in any given man deserves a thousand-fold more consideration.
    — from The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer: the Wisdom of Life by Arthur Schopenhauer
  8. How much of human life should be assigned to individuality, and how much to society?
    — from On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux