Michael Palin Quotes

Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life

John Hall, my geography teacher at school inspired me to a lifelong interest in geography and a curiosity about our world which has stayed with me through my life. Geography is a living, breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant. For me geography is a great adventure with a purpose.

Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future

Contrary to what the politicians and religious leaders would like us to believe, the world won't be made safer by creating barriers between people.

I always wanted to be an explorer, but - it seemed I was doomed to be nothing more than a very silly person.

I mistrust total competence. I've always felt life is a series of small disasters we try to get through.

The human race should just slow down and think about what it is doing.

It's not an easy option. The essence of travel is letting go of habit and prejudice and relishing the unfamiliar. Food you've never eaten before, a language you've never spoken before, religion that mystifies, customs that confuse, politics that perplex, all question everyday assumptions about how you live your life.

I'm aware that, if you feel down, it can be strangely unrelated to circumstances around you. That's just the way life is.

The Buddhist version of poverty is a situation where you have nothing to contribute.

You can't get a suit of armour and a rubber chicken just like that. You have to plan ahead.

I am not a great cook, I am not a great artist, but I love art, and I love food, so I am the perfect traveller.

Despite having seen a fair amount of the world, I still love travelling - I just have an insatiable curiosity and like looking out of a window.

I am very cautious of people who are absolutely right, especially when they are vehemently so.

One of the difficult things of so much travelling is to say goodbye.

One of the most important days of my life was when I learned to ride a bicycle.

I know that we shall meet problems along the way, but I'd far rather see for myself what's going on in the world outside, than rely on newspapers, television, politicians and religious leaders to tell me what I should be thinking.

All I ask of food is that it doesn't harm me.

If atheists are deaf to the word of God, then theists are blind to the ways of man.

Night falls over Machu Picchu to the sound of Abba's 'Dancing Queen'.

In the absence of fear there is little faith.

My marriage has worked because I am not around much.

There are many ways of seeing the world. You can hang upside down from a meteor, volunteer to be the fourth stage of a three-stage rocket, or simply get in a balloon and keep going. But if it's sheer, unadulterated discomfort you're looking for, just stay on land.

The trouble with travelling back later on is that you can never repeat the same experience.

Somewhere, a long way away, people are doing sensible things like mowing lawns and digging gardens.