Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker emphasizes that completing the descent safely was as important as reaching the summit.
In plain terms
Getting back down safely mattered as much as reaching the top.
What can you take from it?
Success includes finishing safely, not just starting.

Where it applies

  • project completion
  • fieldwork
  • expedition planning

Putting it to work

  • plan the return trip
  • track progress
  • define success fully

Questions to consider

  • When is a project really done?
  • How do you know you succeeded?

Another view

People often ignore the risks of ending an endeavor.

More from Edmund Hillary

  1. We didn't know if it was humanly possible to reach the top of Mt. Everest. And even using oxygen as we were, if we did get to the top, we weren't at all sure w…

    Permalink to quote #18
  2. I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination. I was just a…

    Permalink to quote #20
  3. In some ways I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to …

    Permalink to quote #17

Related quotes

  1. Don't order one for the road, because the road is already laid out.

    Flip WilsonFlip Wilson quote #1
  2. That Germany beat these countries was due to better planning and not better preparedness.

    Erhard MilchErhard Milch quote #1
  3. Proper preparation prevents poor performance

    Charlie BatchCharlie Batch quote #1