There is an ideal standard somewhere and only that matters and I cannot find it. Hence the aimlessness.

It seemed that rebellion must have an unassailable base, something guarded not merely from attack, but from the fear of it: such a base as we had in the Red Sea Parts, the desert, or in the minds of the men we converted to our creed.

Men have looked upon the desert as barren land, the free holding of whoever chose; but in fact each hill and valley in it had a man who was its acknowledged owner and would quickly assert the right of his family or clan to it, against aggression.

The Beduin could not look for God within him: he was too sure that he was within God.

The beginning and ending of the secret of handling Arabs is unremitting study of them.

Cling tight to your sense of humour. You will need it every day.

If you wear Arab things, wear the best. Clothes are significant among the tribes, and you must wear the appropriate, and appear at ease in them. Dress like a Sherif, if they agree to it.