Men of various nations had an identical dream. They saw a woman running at night through an unknown city; she was seen from behind, with long hair, and she was naked. They dreamed of pursuing her. As they twisted and turned, each of them lost her. After the dream they set out in search of that city; they never found it, but they found one another; they decided to build a city like the one in the dream.

—ITALO CALVINO, Invisible Cities

 

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.

—PROVERBS