Solitude is the best preparation for that faithful calling — the delving into the depths of Halacha. For solitude gives more power to the person to understand things thoroughly and to judge matters according to the absolute truth. It is also the prerequisite for the climb towards holiness, to think pure thoughts of personal reckoning and stirring thoughts that arouse love and awe of the Divine — all of which a person can attain when nothing troubles  him. Likewise, it aids in pouring out one’s heart in prayer and beseeching Him for forgiveness. Therefore, it is proper to designate a private place in one’s home where the person can study in solitude and acquire levels of holiness. And if the person only has one room which he must share with his family, then he should arise during the night while everyone is sleeping and let him seclude himself with his Maker; for in one hour of solitude it is possible to learn, understand and acquire more stages of holiness than in an entire day.

Solitude is also a great aid to guarding one’s mouth from sinning with improper speech. Those who align their themselves [with the highest levels] “seclude” themselves in their mind with their Maker — even when they are standing in the midst of a great crowd and in public thoroughfares, while the presence of others does not disturb him. Fortunate is the person who can reach this level. How fortunate is his lot, for he is constantly engaged in the mitzvah of fearing, loving and clinging to Hashem. This is a great principle of Torah and of the levels of tzaddikim who constantly walk before God. And it is a root that produces fruit of righteousness on the Tree of Life for those who grasp it. An aid to this is to be humble; by doing so the person will surely remember to lift up his heart to God in Heaven. The righteous man discerns this and sees that this ensures fear and love of God — and one mitzvah leads to the next.