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1 " The ugly and stupid have the best of it in this world. They can sit at their ease and gape at the play. If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat. They live as we all should live-- undisturbed, indifferent, and without disquiet. They never bring ruin upon others, nor ever receive it from alien hands. Your rank and wealth, Henry; my brains, such as they are-- my art, whatever it may be worth; Dorian Gray's good looks-- we shall all suffer for what the gods have given us, suffer terribly. "
― Oscar Wilde , The Picture of Dorian Gray
2 " Tourism is the great soporific. It's a huge confidence trick, and gives people the dangerous idea that there's something interesting in their lives. It's musical chairs in reverse..... All the upgrades in existence lead to the same airports and resort hotels, the same pina colada bullshit. The tourists smile at their tans and their shiny teeth and think they're happy. But the suntans hide who they really are-- salary slaves, with heads full of American rubbish. Travel is the last fantasy the 2oth Century left us, the delusion that going somewhere helps you reinvent yourself. "
― J.G. Ballard , Millennium People
3 " Well--to put it briefly--Arianna and I had become--well--friends." " I see." " Nothing improper, you understand," Lelldorin said quickly. " But our friendship was such that--well--we didn't want to be separated." The young Asturian's face appealed to his friend for understanding. " Actually," he went on, " it was a little more than 'didn't want to.' Arianna told me she'd die if I left her behind." " Possibly she was exaggerating," Garion suggested." How could I risk it, though?" Lelldorin protested. " Women are much more delicate than we are-- besides, Arianna's a physician. She'd know if she'd die, wouldn't she? "
