I have enjoyed great satisfaction from my climb of Everest and my trips to the poles. But there's no doubt that my most worthwhile things have been the building of schools and medical clinics.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes finding fulfillment in creating lasting contributions to society rather than just personal achievements.
In this quote, Edmund Hillary reflects on his remarkable achievements in exploration, such as climbing Everest and visiting the poles. However, he places greater value on his philanthropic efforts, particularly the establishment of schools and medical clinics, highlighting that true satisfaction comes from making a positive impact on others' lives and contributing to their well-being and education.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of community service.
I think I mainly climb mountains because I get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. I never attempt to analyze these things too thoroughly, but I think that all mountaineers do get a great deal of satisfaction out of overcoming some challenge which they think is very difficult for them, or which perhaps may be a little dangerous.
Despite all I have seen and experiences, I still get the same thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow in a high mountain gully and feel the same urge to climb toward it.
I've always hated the danger part of climbing, and it's great to come down again because it's safe.
Even when you're 50, you can make the effort to improve your standards.
Many people have been getting too casual about climbing Everest. I forecast a disaster many times.
I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.
Education: the inculcation of the incomprehensible into the indifferent by the incompetent.
The dumbing down of America is evident in the slow decay of substantive content, a kind of celebration of ignorance.
The biggest job we have is to teach a newly hired employee how to fail intelligently. We have to train him to experiment over and over and to keep on trying and failing until he learns what will work.
Throughout elementary and middle school, I was used to hearing other words: Smart. Studious. Well-spoken. Well-read. They became pillars of my self-confidence, enabling me to build myself up on what I contributed rather than what I looked like.
Like all those possessing a library, Aurelian was aware that he was guilty of not knowing his in its entirety.
My God! The English language is a form of communication! Conversation isn't just crossfire where you shoot and get shot at! Where you've got to duck for your life and aim to kill! Words aren't only bombs and bullets — no, they're little gifts, containing meanings!
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