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It is characteristic of Bedu to do things by extremes, to be either wildly generous or unbelievably mean, very patient or almost hysterically excitable, to be incredibly brave or to panic for no apparent reason. Ascetic by nature, they derive satisfaction from the bare simplicity of their lives and scorn the amenities which others would judge essential.

— Wilfred Thesiger Arabian Sands (1959)

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More quotes by Wilfred Thesiger

Once again I experienced the longing to share this life, and to be more than a mere spectator.

The Marsh Arabs (1964)

Now that the Arabs are among the economic masters of the world I fear that many will find unendurable the boredome of their wealth.

Desert, Marsh and Mountain (1979)

To me it is always the people rather than the places that matter.

Desert, Marsh and Mountain (1979)

I craved for the past, resented the present, and dreaded the future.

Arabian Sands (1959)

Personally, I would forgo any other comfort to drink clean water.

The Life Of My Choice (1987)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Wilfred Thesiger (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.