General Loneliness:
* "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference if he's got a million bucks." (Candy) - This line highlights the universal need for companionship and how isolation can drive people mad.
* "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go into town and blow their stake, and then they come back an' work up another stake, an' they blow that. They ain't got nothin' to look ahead to." (George) - This quote emphasizes the cyclical and often hopeless nature of life for migrant workers. It portrays their lack of purpose and belonging.
* "I ain't got no family. They're all dead." (Crooks) - Crooks, the black stablehand, is ostracized due to his race and physical disability, leaving him with a profound sense of isolation.
Specific Characters and Loneliness:
* "I seen the guys that come an' go. They ain't got nothin' to look ahead to." (Candy) - Candy, an aging ranch hand, is facing the prospect of being replaced by younger, stronger workers. His fear of being discarded underscores his vulnerability and isolation.
* "A guy needs somebody - to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference if he's got a million bucks." (Candy) - Candy's fear of losing his only companion, his dog, shows how loneliness can impact even the most seemingly content individuals.
* "Maybe ever'body in the whole damn world is scared of each other." (Curley's wife) - Curley's wife, often seen as a symbol of temptation and despair, feels isolated and misunderstood. Her loneliness leads to desperate attempts to connect with others, which often end badly.
* "I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick." (George) - This statement reveals George's understanding of the destructive impact of loneliness. He recognizes the importance of companionship and fears what might happen if he loses Lennie.
These quotes provide a poignant glimpse into the pervasive loneliness that permeates the lives of the characters in "Of Mice and Men," emphasizing the importance of human connection and the tragic consequences of isolation.