Becoming a 'Sir' is slightly uncomfortable at first, although it is a considerable honor. It is amazing how quickly you become accustomed to it.
Interpretation
Achieving high honors can feel daunting initially, but one soon adjusts to the new recognition.
In this quote, Edmund Hillary reflects on the experience of receiving an honor, indicating that while the initial feelings of discomfort or insecurity may arise, the recognition ultimately becomes a comfortable and familiar part of one's identity. This highlights the juxtaposition between the weight of honor and the human ability to adapt to new roles and expectations.
In practice
During a speech at a formal event, one might quote this to acknowledge the journey toward success.
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.
Writers have told me more than once that I'm a better interview in defeat than in victory, which is a compliment I am extremely proud of.
When good news about the market hits the front page of the New York Times, sell.
I've been blessed to find people who are smarter than I am, and they help me to execute the vision I have.
That feeling of being the NBA Champion is really unparalleled, because you're the best in the world. Without question. How many people can say that in any profession?
Nobody is an overnight success. Most overnight successes you see have been working at it for ten years.
Success is a sort of metaphysical experience. I live exactly as I did before - only on a slightly bigger scale. Naturally, I won't be corrupted. I'll sit there in my Rolls, uncorrupted, and tell my chauffeur, uncorruptedly, where to go.
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