---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a pity indeed to travel and not get…"
description: "\"“It is a pity indeed to travel and not get this essential sense of landscape values. You do not need a sixth sense for it. It is there if you just clos..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/lawrence-durrell-2169_16_it-is-a-pity-indeed-to-travel-and-not-ge_2624945.jpg"
---

#  It is a pity indeed to travel and not get this essential…

![“It is a pity indeed to travel and not get this essential sense of landscape values. You do not need a sixth sense for it. It is there if you just close your eyes and breathe softly through your nose; you will hear the whispered message, for all landscapes ask the same question in the same whisper…” quote by Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/lawrence-durrell-2169_16_it-is-a-pity-indeed-to-travel-and-not-ge_2624945.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/lawrence-durrell-2169_16_it-is-a-pity-indeed-to-travel-and-not-ge_2624945.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/lawrence-durrell-2169_16_it-is-a-pity-indeed-to-travel-and-not-ge_2624945.jpg)

> ““It is a pity indeed to travel and not get this essential sense of landscape values. You do not need a sixth sense for it. It is there if you just close your eyes and breathe softly through your nose; you will hear the whispered message, for all landscapes ask the same question in the same whisper. 'I am watching you -- are you watching yourself in me?' Most travelers hurry too much...the great thing is to try and travel with the eyes of the spirit wide open, and not to much factual information. To tune in, without reverence, idly -- but with real inward attention. It is to be had for the feeling...you can extract the essence of a place once you know how. If you just get as still as a needle, you'll be there.””

[Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-durrell/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage urges travelers to engage deeply with landscapes, using inner awareness rather than factual data, to hear the place’s subtle message.

**In simple terms:** Travel with inner attention to truly sense a place.

Key Takeaway

Observe landscapes with mindful presence.

Themes

travel mindfulness nature perception

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

- hiking
- photography
- pilgrimage
- urban exploration

Key Concepts

sensory perception spiritual awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you balance mindful observation with practical travel needs?
- What does “eyes of the spirit” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

It may romanticize travel and ignore practical safety concerns.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Landscape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/landscape/) [Sixth sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sixth-sense/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/)

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