# Quote — Wilfred Thesiger, Arabian Sands

> There is always trouble if meat is not divided by lot.  Someone immediately says that he has been given more than his share, and tries to hand a piece to someone else.  Then there is much arguing and swearing by God, with everyone insisting that he has been given too much, and finally a deadlock ensues which can only be settled by casting lots for the meat – as should have been done in the first place.  I have never heard a man grumble that he has received less than his share.  Such behaviour would be inconceivable to the Bedu, for they are careful never to appear greedy, and quick to notice anyone who is.

- Author: [Wilfred Thesiger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger.md)
- Book: [Arabian Sands](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilfred-thesiger/arabian-sands.md)
- Page: 71
- 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/there-is-always

## 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)