There is no religion in which everyday life is not considered a prison; there is no philosophy or ideology that does not think that we live in alienation.

Shakespeare was the great one before us. His place was between God and despair.

Culture cannot be separated from politics. The arts, philosophy and metaphysics, religion and the sciences, constitute culture. Politics are the science or art of organizing our relationships to allow for the development of life in society.

A civil servant doesn't make jokes.

One of the things the 'Tao of Travel' shows is how unforthcoming most travel writers are, how most travelers are. They don't tell you who they were traveling with, and they're not very reliable about things that happened to them.

I believe in adventure and imagination, and I got that from my parents and the things I experienced as a child.

I prefer active vacations. I really like the adventure aspect of it, and I also like a trip with intentions, where something will be gained on the other side of it. But I also like the option to just be there.

I love to travel, anywhere in the world. Wherever it is... India... Tibet... wherever. I'll go anywhere.