"When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home"

Thornton Wilder's quote records the paradoxical nature of human desire and the contrasting states of comfort and adventure. On the surface, it talks to the perennial human disposition to desire what is not within instant reach. This oscillation in between desiring safety and yearning for adventure reflects a much deeper exploration of humanity.

When people are "safe in the house", they discover themselves surrounded by familiarity and comfort. This state, while assuring, can likewise lead to a sense of dullness or restlessness. The regular and predictability of daily life can make the idea of an adventure-- a break from the regular-- appear alluring and exciting. Adventures promise new experiences, growth, and the capacity for discovery, fulfilling the human yearning for novelty and exploration. In this context, the longing for adventure represents a desire to get away the boundaries of one's convenience zone and accept the unknown.

Conversely, when people are "having an experience", they are exposed to uncertainty, obstacles, and often pain. Experiences can be overwhelming, bringing with them their own set of dangers and stress and anxieties. In minutes of stress or threat, the comfort and security of home suddenly ended up being appealing. This longing for the safety of home symbolizes the human requirement for stability and reassurance amidst mayhem.

Wilder's quote highlights this duality and suggests that fulfillment may not be discovered in static conditions however rather in stabilizing these two states. It encourages an acceptance of the human tendency to oscillate between desires, understanding that total fulfillment might stay elusive. The quote functions as a pointer that satisfaction often depends on appreciating one's existing situations and valuing both the comfort of home and the thrill of experience. In recognizing this duality, people might find peace in understanding that both states contribute to a rich and nuanced life experience.