The Need and Nature of Privacy

From far back it has been said that a man’s home is his castle⎯a place entitled to peace, protection, and privacy.

“How can you make plain to a new generation that privacy was no mere transient personal mood, but a normal expression of a whole culture…” said one concerned observer. “How can you convey to them, that… privacy meant neither secrecy, solitude, nor yet concealment; that it was… grounded upon a sense of human worth, upon a shy reserve… a respect for individuality… human dignity.” Privacy is something of a “sanctuary… ‘in which [the] heart, in the bustle and tumult of existence could take refuge’ [in] withdrawal at will from the company and gaze of others; the absence of undesired attentions and intrusions.”

One of the great blessings of life is living with others, with the associations and contributions of many minds, many personalities, many services. But for full sustenance of the human soul there must also be times to retreat, to withdraw within, to shield one’s self from confusion, distraction, from rude inquisitiveness, and uninvited intrusion.

A man must have the privacy of his mind to think his own thoughts, to search for truth, to make his own choices, and to come to his own conclusion. As William Faulkner said it: “One lacking privacy cannot be an individual.”

We all need times for reflection, for personal searching, for personal pursuits, for dignity and respect; for freedom from noise, from loud voices and distracting influences, from the shouting and insistent persuasion.

We need time for the close, quiet circle of loved ones, for quietly keeping company with family and friends, and for keeping quiet company with the Father of us all, in reverent, earnest prayer, in reverent respect. We need more emphasis on the home, which has been said to be “the supreme and most sacred dwelling-place of privacy.”

Withdrawal from life is not the point or purpose. All of us have obligations to serve, to share our influence and our interest, to be a participating part. Life is enriched by association with others⎯but also there is the need for peace and privacy, for freedom from intrusion, for personal and private thoughts and things, within the hallowed sanctuary of heart and home.