The Life of Samuel Johnson: Dread of Solitude

"But, as Xerxes wept when he viewed his immense army, and considered that not one of that great multitude would be alive a hundred years afterwards, so it went to my heart to consider that there was not one in all that brilliant circle that was not afraid to go home and think; but that the thoughts of each individual there, would be distressing when alone."

~Samuel Johnson, recorded by James Boswell