'If one were to plant woods here,' Chichikov said, 'the view would be more beautiful than --'
'Oh, so you're an admirer of fine views, are you?' said Kostanjoglo with a sudden stern look at him. 'Let me warn you, if you start chasing after views, you'll be left without bread and without views. Always think of what is useful and not what is beautiful. Beauty will come of its own accord. Let the towns serve you as an example: so far the best and most beautiful towns are those which have grown up naturally, where everyone built according to his needs and according to his taste ... Never mind beauty! Concentrate on the things that matter.'

Nikolai Gogol, from Dead Souls, 1842