I believe that of all the things I have done, exciting though many of them have been, there's no doubt in my mind that the most worthwhile have been the establishing of schools and hospitals, and the rebuilding of monasteries in the mountains.
Interpretation
Edmund Hillary emphasizes that his greatest contributions are in education and health rather than in adventure.
In this quote, Edmund Hillary reflects on his life's work with a focus on the lasting impact of establishing schools and hospitals. He prioritizes these humanitarian efforts over his adventurous exploits, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from helping others and contributing to society, particularly in the realms of education and health care.
In practice
In a speech about philanthropy, one might quote Hillary to emphasize the importance of service.
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.
Headmasters have powers at their disposal with which Prime ministers have never yet been invested.
No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.
The best solution to income inequality is providing a high-quality education for everybody. In our highly technological, globalized economy, people without education will not be able to improve their economic situation.
I do my precalc homework, and then when I'm done I actually sit with the textbook for like three hours and try to understand what I just did. That's the kind of weekend it is--the kind where you have so much time you go past the answers and start looking into the ideas.
You must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.
The content of most textbooks is perishable, but the tools of self-directedness serve one well over time.
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