Aubrey Menen

[India, Britain, Ireland, the United States had in common the belief that] they had fewer moral failings than the rest of mankind. I decided to live among the Italians, who had given up such illusions. I am often asked why I continue to live in Italy. I answer that it seems to me that human nature works here much as the creator intended. I am told that it is a low aim. The Italians agree. I am unmoved. After all the trouble with the devil was that he strove for higher things.