Fleeting impressions of the East and its lasting effects on the Western man; away from social decorum and society in general, how we either fall into drink or adapt. Each snapshot was so precious, I wished they were all connected to make a story, one that Maugham could only tell through his keen and understanding eyes.
“A complicated phraseology which makes it needful to read the sentence a second time to get its meaning is not unwelcome; a profusion of metaphor, giving your fancy ample play, a richness of allusion affording you the delight of recognition, are then qualities beyond price. Then if the thought is elaborate without being profound (for you have been on the road since dawn and of the forty miles of the day’s journey you have footed it more than half) you have the perfect book for the occasion.”
“You must not ask from people more than they are capable of giving.”
“I comfort myself with Bacon’s observation that with tall men it is as with tall houses, the top storey is commonly the least furnished.”
“For the most exquisite dawn has none of the splendor of an indifferent sunset. But because it is a less accustomed sight it seems to have a greater diversity. Every dawn is a little different from every other, and you can fancy that each day the world is created anew not quite the same as it was the day before.”
Feb29-Mar1
JohannaAirth 
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