Solitude is the school of genius (Gibbon)

From Bowyer Nichol's 'Words and Days': the entry for January 10th.

For I myself am best 

When least in company. 

TWELFTH NIGHT i. 4. 

BUT the most ordinary cause of a Single Life, is Liberty; especially, in certain self-pleasing and humorous Minds, which are so sensible of every restraint, as they will go near, to think their Girdles, and Garters, to be Bonds and Shackles. Unmarried men are best Friends; best Masters; best Servants; but not always best Subjects: for they are light to run away; and almost all Fugitives are of that Condition. BACON. 

Ah wretched, and too solitary he who loves not his own company : 

He'll feel the weight oft many a day 

Unless he call in sin or vanity 

To help to bear't away. 

O Solitude, first state of humankind! 

Which blest remain'd till man did find 

Even his own helper's company. 

As soon as two (alas !) together joined 

The Serpent made up three. 

COWLEY.