# Quote — Wilfred Thesiger, Arabian Sands

> It is not hunger nor thirst that frightens the Bedu; they maintain that riding they can survive in cold weather for seven days without food or water.  It is the possible collapse of their camels which haunts them. If this happens, death is certain.

- Author: [Wilfred Thesiger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger.md)
- Book: [Arabian Sands](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands.md)
- Page: 103
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wilfred_Thesiger#Arabian_Sands_(1959)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands/it-is-not

## More from this book

> Strike a Bedu and he will kill you either then or later.  It is easy for strangers to give offence without meaning to do so.  I once put my hand on the back of bin Kabina’s neck and he turned on me and asked furiously if I took him for a slave.  I had no idea that I had done anything wrong.

p. 148 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands/strike-a-bedu.md)

> In the deserts, however arid, I have never felt homesick for green fields and woods in spring, but now that I was in England I longed with an ache that was almost physical to be back in Arabia.

p. 187 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands/in-the-deserts.md)

> Now I had crossed it [the Empty Quarter].  To others my journey would have little importance.  It would produce nothing except a rather inaccurate map which no one was ever likely to use.  It was a personal experience, and the reward had been a drink of clean, nearly tasteless water.  I was content with that.

p. 138 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands/now-i-had.md)