“DIFFERENCE ENGENDRE HAINE: the vulgarity of many a nature spurts up suddenly like dirty water, when any holy vessel, any jewel from closed shrines, any book bearing the marks of great destiny, is brought before it.”

The sun hung low over the Engadine, turning the stone path to dust as I walked alone with my thoughts. A peasant girl passed, her eyes wide and silent, bowing slightly without knowing why. Then a scholar approached, arrogant and loud, touching everything in his path with careless hands. The contrast struck me: true nobility hides itself, while mediocrity bursts forth like filth when faced with the sacred.