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.
Interpretation
The speaker expresses gratitude for achieving a dream, recognizing its rarity.
In this quote, Edmund Hillary reflects on the importance of dreams and the fulfillment that comes with achieving them. He acknowledges the extraordinary nature of realizing one's aspirations, highlighting that this doesn't happen to everyone and emphasizing the sentiment of gratitude and fulfillment that accompanies such accomplishments.
In practice
In a graduation speech to inspire students.
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.
Ever since the morning of May 29, 1953, when Tenzing Norgay and I became the first climbers to step onto the summit of Mount Everest, I've been called a great adventurer.
We all make mistakes, but the people who thrive from their mistakes are the successful ones.
As many micro-credit schemes across the world can testify, investment in women is the best investment for the future.
To be in a position, at my age, where I am financially independent, I can help develop things, I can promote stuff that I believe in, I can say no a lot and spend time writing - that is a gift.
Desire is what takes the hot water of mediocrity and turns it into the steam of outstanding success.
Sweat equity is the most valuable equity there is. Know your business and industry better than anyone else in the world. Love what you do or don't do it.
Some are born great, others achieve greatness.
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