“No man is an island”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase No man is an island means that no one is self-sufficient; everyone relies on others to some extent. It highlights the interconnectedness of human beings and emphasizes the necessity of community and support from others.
Tone Reflective and philosophical
Where it comes from
The phrase comes from John Donne’s Devotions upon Emergent Occasions (1624), in the passage that begins No man is an island, entire of itself.
Examples
- Even though he preferred solitude, he eventually understood that no man is an island, and reached out to his friends for help.
- The community project taught the children that no man is an island, and working together can achieve more than working alone.
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