As for wealth, I did not think it deserved the immense sacrifice demanded from me.

I could find equal wealth in Europe, without stamping my forehead with the shameful brand of apostasy.

I cared deeply for the esteem of the persons of distinction who knew me, and did not want to render myself unworthy of it.

Besides, I felt an immense desire to obtain fame amongst civilized and polite nations, either in the fine arts or in literature, or in any other honourable profession, and I could not reconcile myself to the idea of abandoning to my equals the triumph which I might win if I lived amongst them.

It seemed to me, and I am still of the same opinion, that the decision of wearing the turban befits only a Christian despairing of himself and at the end of his wits, and fortunately I was lost not in that predicament.