A study of the great myths concerning the origin of man and the meaning of our presence on earth reveals that every culture—in the sense of a complex of values created and shared in common—stems from the conviction that man the intruder has broken or violated the order of the universe, (p. 26).

Man collaborates actively in defending universal order, which is always being threatened by chaos. (p. 26)

If the solitude of the Mexican is like a stagnant pool, that of the North American is like a mirror. (p. 27)

In every man there is the possibility of his being—or, to be more exact, of his becoming once again—another man. (p. 28)

The Mexican is always remote, from the world and from other people. (p...