Being alone is when you are surrounded by no one, neither by those who love you nor by those who hate you, when you are alone you feel more strong because you have no one upon whom you can depend. Independent is always strong.

whereas being lonely is when you are surrounded by people who say they love you, but you don't feel their love. you are very weak because you depend on them, because you hope they will help you get out of the loneliness, but unfortunately they cant