Taken in its literal sense, this statement is better applicable to travelling in the past than to travelling today. In the past travelling was dangerous and difficult and called forth considerable courage and spirit of adventure. A long journey was exciting and a continual challenge to the traveler’s courage and steadfastness of purpose. When he reached his destination at last, he would heave a sigh of relief, but miss the excitement and joyful hope of the journey.
Even today when travelling is safe and quick, we are familiar with the feeling that it is better to travel than to arrive. Consider the case of a boy who is going to visit Delhi for the first time. He plans the journey days in advance and dreams of the thrilling experiences in the historical capital of India. As he is speeding towards Delhi in a train, he feels elated and buoyant and very much alive to the people around him and to the changing scenery seen through the window. But as soon as he reaches Delhi and stays there for a few days, he is likely to feel that the city falls short of his expectations. No more the novelty of the journey for him, no more the hope of reaching a place bathed in the glamorous light of imagination.
However, it is in a larger, metaphorical sense that it is better to travel than to arrive. There is more pleasure and excitement in striving to attain an ideal than in actually attaining it. Once the ideal is attained, the goal reached, there is nothing more to strive for.
When Alexander had conquered the whole world then known to him, he is reported to have wept, because there was no more country to conquer for him. How exciting were the days of the struggle for Indian independence. Patriotism, heroism and self – sacrifice were in the air. Compared with these glorious days, the post-Independence period seems to be dull and colorless.
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This does not mean that we should not attain our ideals. Nor should we forget the supreme joy felt when the goal is reached. “It is better to travel than to arrive” emphatically states only one aspect of our experience – an aspect which is generally neglected but true.