"I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone"

Rainer Maria Rilke’s words evoke a deep yearning for meaningful connection and understanding, revealing a longing to be surrounded by individuals who possess depth and insight, those who grasp hidden truths not apparent on the surface of everyday life. There is an implicit recognition of the loneliness that comes with a heightened awareness; ordinary company may feel insufficient, even alienating, when compared to the joy and stimulation of sharing space with those who perceive the world in a more profound way.

Rather than seeking out shallow or superficial relationships, the speaker prioritizes authentic interactions with people who engage with the mysteries of existence. These “secret things” refer not necessarily to factual secrets or gossip, but to spiritual understanding, subtle emotions, observations about life’s paradoxes, or unspoken wisdom that transcends mundane routines. Being among such individuals offers a sense of belonging that is rare and precious, a communion of minds that makes solitude unnecessary.

Yet, rather than settle for less, enduring banality or feigned connections, the alternative is solitude. This willingness to be alone, rather than in the company of those who do not resonate at the same depth, speaks to integrity and self-awareness. The sense of aloneness isn’t rooted in bitterness or withdrawal, but in a clarity of personal values and emotional needs. It carries the quiet dignity of a person who prefers the silence of their own company to the emptiness of surface-level relationships.

Rilke’s statement encapsulates the existential tension between the desire for connection and the integrity required to maintain standards for those connections. It celebrates the courage to honor one’s own inner world, even when that means walking solitary paths, affirming that fulfillment comes either through resonant companionship or the richness of solitude, not through compromise or dilution of the self.