"... All the reports that you hear about the American people have, I think some exaggeration in them. I have not as yet seen any of the extremes in this country; it is perhaps because I am surrounded with good people. The people I have come across have given me great satisfaction. As for the imperfections of manners, customs and characters, I think there is no nation on earth free from all these things. And one thing is sure, that if we once put the spectacles of finding faults on our noses, we shall always find them at all times and in all places..."

Ramabai Sarasvati, Pandita, 1858-1922. The Letters And Correspondence of Pandita Ramabai. Bombay: Maharashtra State Board for Literature and Culture, 1977.