Altitude Quote by Edmund Hillary
“It was wrong if there was a man suffering altitude problems and was huddled under a rock, just to lift your hat, say 'good morning' and pass on by, he said. Human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Acceptance of the 1953 Everest Expedition, Edmund Hillary, 1953
The quote emphasizes that human life outweighs personal ambition, urging compassion over competition in dangerous pursuits.
In simple terms: Life is more important than personal achievement.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize safety and empathy over personal goals.
Themes
human life
compassion
mountaineering
ethics
humility
Mood
inspirational
ethical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- mountain climbing
- adventure sports
- team leadership
- emergency response
Key Concepts
risk assessment
moral philosophy
altruism
Questions to Reflect On
- When should personal ambition be set aside?
- How can teams foster empathy in high‑risk settings?
A Different Perspective
May neglect the drive that fuels achievement; balance needed.
![“I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb [to Everest] was George Lowe: he was strong, a good man on a mountain, with a great sense of humour, and I liked that. I think George and I could've done that together ... I've probably never told George that.” quote by Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/165/edmund-hillary-3760_climbs_i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-on_12447.jpg)
