Tao Te Ching

“The human need for socialization drives human porcupines together [‘Schopenhauer’s or The Porcupine’s dilemma’] only to be mutually repelled by the many irritating qualities of the others (‘familiarity breeds contempt’). Codes of politeness and manners create a tolerable but unsatisfying balance between social warmth and irritation so the more independent and self-sufficient prefer more solitude.”

— Arthur Schopenhauer 1788 – 1860 CE via Shan Dao
from Parerga and Paralipomena, "Appendices" and "Omissions"