Sometimes people read a book in order to not go on a trip. You read a book instead of going on the trip. And so the travel writer is doing the traveling for you.

I don't want to be the honored guest. I want to be the invisible person.

The conversation, like many others I had with people on trains, derived an easy candour from the shared journey, the comfort of the dining car, and the certain knowledge that neither of us would see each other again.

I am happy being what I am.

My house is a place I have spent many years improving to the point where I have no desire to leave it.

Indian enterprises seemed to work so well they produced disasters; success made them burst at the seams and the disruption of unprecedented orders led to shortages and finally failure.

Pain does not create a long-lasting memory, but the memory of luxury exerts itself for ever.