W. H. Murray

“We do not deceive ourselves that we are engaging in an activity that is anything but debilitating, dangerous, euphoric, beautiful, and enjoyable.”

“The first quality of a mountaineer is the ability to suffer.”

“The great value of a mountain is that it is there. Its presence is a declaration of permanence and stability in a world of flux.”

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.”

“All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

“I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: 'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.'”

“The essential business of language is to assert; and to assert is simply to make a picture for the mind.”

“Real freedom is of the mind and spirit; it can never be constrained by prison walls.”