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My Life at the Limit

Book by Reinhold Messner · 15 quotes · Honesty, Independence, Self Determination

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My Life at the Limit Quotes

“How often on an expedition have I told myself, "That's enough!" and then a few weeks later when the effort, worry, and hardship were forgotten, I began dreaming about a new journey, planning a new climb. Pretty soon I'd be off again. And once again, it would be dangerous. I never intended to risk my neck, but I knew that if I were ever to stop dreaming or traveling I would be old. And that would drive me to despair.”

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“I came to realize that my path to knowledge would not lead me to libraries, professors, universities, and studies. My path to knowledge was through living life and experiencing reality. I could learn plenty secondhand, but nothing was ever to surpass the experiences I had in the wilderness. All my knowledge of social, scentific, and religious issues has been acquired through personal experience.”

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“I believe that, in Europe at least, we have made the mistake - politically speaking - of taking too much responsibility away from people. Citizens who once took responsibility for themselves have become dependents, demanding more of everything - subsidies, incomes, pensions. When the responsibility is taken away from them, people's aspirations dwindle, until finally we reach a state of zero growth and begin to descend into social chaos, a state of limbo. Welfare democracy is a dead-end street. What I always wanted was maximum responsibility for my own life. I've always had high expectations of myself. Others call it ambition.”

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“Perhaps the true purpose of life is simply to express ourselves as best we can. Maybe my ability to keep finding new challenges appropriate to my age is part of the happiness, the thing that keeps me young, creative, and full of life. The setbacks and the opposition I've encountered are all part of my happiness. I have grown as a result and am still able to lead a self-determined life.”

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