The beekeeper and the Sherpa, one from a remote former colony of the Crown on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the other from the edge of the heavens. They affirmed the power of humble determination and, placing themselves firmly with the mythic paradigms of their respective cultures, won one for the underdogs. ... On this lonely planet of freeze dried food, computer generated fabrics and commercialised mountain climbing, it is almost impossible to imagine the earth-shaking impact that Hillary and Norgay's achievement had in 1953. For many it represented the last of the earth's great challenges. It placed Hillary in the lineage of great terrestrial explorers. ... His achievement as one of mankind's great accomplishments came at one of the last times in history when such a feat could still be recognised as a distinctly human one, and not technological. ... Hillary's near-mythical status puts him on a plateau above sporting heroes, for he has distinguished himself well beyond the singularity of a mountain. From a feat that would have been the crowning achievement of many careers, he has gone on to become a humanitarian, an ambassador and elder statesman, never giving up, never giving in to either despair or complacency, always planning the next goal.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The 1953 Everest climb succeeded through humble determination, representing a distinctly human triumph before technology dominated exploration.
- In plain terms
- Hillary and Norgay proved that human will could overcome nature without high-tech gear.
- What can you take from it?
- Human spirit and determination still matter despite technological progress.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What human trait do you rely on most?
- How has technology changed your field?
Another view
Technology often enables achievements that human will alone cannot reach.
More from Edmund Hillary
You defeated me! But you won't defeat me again! Because you have grown all you can grow ... but I am still growing!
Permalink to quote #24 Geography was not furthered by the achievement, scientific progress was scarcely hastened, and nothing new was discovered. Yet the names of Hillary and Tenzing…
Permalink to quote #26 People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.
Permalink to quote #23
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