He regarded himself as an accomplished writer — a clear sign of madness in anyone.

I am happy being what I am.

They say that if the Swiss had designed these mountains they'd be rather flatter.

I believe I have a sunny disposition, and am not naturally a grouch. It takes a lot of optimism, after all, to be a traveler.

You go away for a long time and return a different person - you never come all the way back.

A national crisis, a political convulsion, is an opportunity, a gift to the traveler. Nothing is more revealing of a place to a stranger than trouble. Even if a crisis is incomprehensible, as it usually is, it lends drama to the day and transforms the traveler into an eye witness.

Gain a modest reputation for being unreliable and you will never be asked to do a thing.