I have climbed several higher mountains without guide or path, and have found, as might be expected, that it takes only more time and patience commonly than to travel the smoothest highway

Men go back to the mountains, as they go back to sailing ships at sea, because in the mountains and on the sea they must face up.

I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now.

The worst thing one can do is not to try, to be aware of what one wants and not give in to it, to spend years in silent hurt wondering if something could have materialized - and never knowing

If you give yourself to your task at once, you won't have to do it twice

That government is best which governs least.