A 30-year-old rock climber is an old man. At 40, one is in the middle of his high-altitude power. At 50, a crosser of deserts is at his best age. But at 60, each of us is out of the game.
Reinhold MessnerRead
I became famous for the fact that I would break many, many limits. People said, 'He does all these crazy things.' But oddly it was a crazy thing only because scientists and climbers said, 'Everest and the 8,000-meter peaks without oxygen - impossible. Messner is becoming sick in his head.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo, even in the face of skepticism.
Reinhold Messner reflects on how he became renowned for pushing the limits of what was considered possible in mountaineering. His achievements, which defied conventional beliefs about human capability, were labeled as 'crazy' by some. This illustrates how the pursuit of extraordinary goals often entails overcoming both physical challenges and societal doubts, inspiring others to redefine their own limits.
Themes
LimitsCourageAchievementsImpossibleMountaineering
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about perseverance, this quote can be used to inspire attendees to pursue their dreams despite doubts.
More from Reinhold Messner
All quotes →I think my cultural work is more important than the adventures I did. The adventures are not important for human beings. It's the conquering of the useless.
Reinhold MessnerRead
In mountaineering, there is not only the activity, but the philosophy behind it. Some say a moral, but I am against that because all morality is dangerous.
Reinhold MessnerRead
I was the first man to climb the world's 14 tallest peaks without supplementary oxygen, but I never asked how high I would go, just how I would do it.
Reinhold MessnerRead
In my state of spiritual abstraction, I no longer belong to myself and to my eyesight. I am nothing more than a single narrow gasping lung, floating over the mists and summits.
Reinhold MessnerRead
I go to the mountains for an adventure and each time I pray I will get up and down again.
Reinhold MessnerRead
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