--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing…" description: "\"I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing - nothing I'm proud of.\" — Reinhold Messner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg" --- # I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing - nothing I'm… ![“I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing - nothing I'm proud of.” quote by Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg) > “I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing - nothing I'm proud of.” [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He regrets beginning the high‑altitude climbing venture, seeing it as a source of shame rather than pride. **In simple terms:** He feels ashamed of his mountaineering project. Key Takeaway Reflect on why you pursue risky endeavors. Themes regret mountaineering pride Mood somber introspective Type personal reflective When to use this quote - personal reflection - adventure planning - career choices Key Concepts risk identity achievement Questions to Reflect On - What drives you to seek dangerous achievements? - How do you reconcile pride with regret? A Different Perspective He may have misjudged the personal cost of fame. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) ## Related quotes > [Love , creativity, and opportunity is in the air. Take it in and do your thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-kravitz/love-creativity-and-opportunity-is-in-the-air-take-it-in-and-do-your/) [Lenny Kravitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-kravitz/) > [It is sad that the air is the only thing we share. No matter how close we get to each other, there is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/it-is-sad-that-the-air-is-the-only-thing-we-share-no-matter-how-close/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [The biggest thing I'm proud of is becoming a man. Living my dreams? Yeah, that's cool, but me handling my business, you feel me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-homie-quan/the-biggest-thing-i-m-proud-of-is-becoming-a-man-living-my-dreams/) [Rich Homie Quan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-homie-quan/) > [With Yele Haiti, the first thing was I'm proud of the organization and the work that the organization has done, and in the future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyclef-jean/with-yele-haiti-the-first-thing-was-i-m-proud-of-the-organization-and/) [Wyclef Jean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyclef-jean/) > [To play meaningful games and try and win a division, a pennant, a World Series, that's what it's all about. That's the thing I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-bregman/to-play-meaningful-games-and-try-and-win-a-division-a-pennant-a-world/) [Alex Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-bregman/) > [I was never going to be the best player the world has ever seen but one thing I can be proud of is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-cook/i-was-never-going-to-be-the-best-player-the-world-has-ever-seen-but/) [Alastair Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-cook/) > [“By the way, I never realized that to be nonbelieving, to be an atheist, was a thing to be proud of. It went without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-schrodinger/by-the-way-i-never-realized-that-to-be-nonbelieving-to-be-an-atheist-2/) [Erwin Schrödinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-schrodinger/) > [The most important thing is to be proud of the work that you put into something, and put the ego aside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-keys/the-most-important-thing-is-to-be-proud-of-the-work-that-you-put-into/) [Alicia Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-keys/) > [If there is one thing of which I am most proud, it's that I made being ginger cool!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-grint/if-there-is-one-thing-of-which-i-am-most-proud-it-s-that-i-made-being/) [Rupert Grint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-grint/) > [Its a great thing to be proud. You should be. You should hold your pretty head high and keep those dazzling eyes of yours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humaira/its-a-great-thing-to-be-proud-you-should-be-you-should-hold-your/) [Humaira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humaira/) > [If you enjoyed making a thing, and you’re proud of the thing you made, that’s enough. Not everyone is going to like it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wil-wheaton/if-you-enjoyed-making-a-thing-and-you-re-proud-of-the-thing-you-made/) [Wil Wheaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wil-wheaton/) > [“Education is a thing to be proud of.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-frank-baum/education-is-a-thing-to-be-proud-of/) [L. Frank Baum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-frank-baum/) > [One thing that I am proud of: I am really capable of laughing at myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-cruz/one-thing-that-i-am-proud-of-i-am-really-capable-of-laughing-at-myself/) [Penelope Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-cruz/) > [“But it did seem that the thing we are most proud of and the thing we are most ashamed of are but the front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/but-it-did-seem-that-the-thing-we-are-most-proud-of-and-the-thing-we/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [The only thing I'm proud to lose, is how many times i've told you I LOVE YOU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-i-m-proud-to-lose-is-how-many-times-i-ve-told-you-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Reinhold Messner > [Fame is very heavy. When there are large crowds, I'm unable to handle it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/fame-is-very-heavy-when-there-are-large-crowds-i-m-unable-to-handle-it/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [The cliches that circulate in the German media about Joachim Sauer are a total fallacy. The fact is that he's his own man. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/the-cliches-that-circulate-in-the-german-media-about-joachim-sauer/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Climbing is not a competition, and you cannot talk in terms of 'greatest,' it means nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/climbing-is-not-a-competition-and-you-cannot-talk-in-terms-of/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Life is about daring to carry out your ideas. And for me, it always comes back to the wilderness, nature, mountains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/life-is-about-daring-to-carry-out-your-ideas-and-for-me-it-always/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [I have a very different fear if I'm all alone in the summit area of Mount Everest and if I know that there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/i-have-a-very-different-fear-if-i-m-all-alone-in-the-summit-area-of/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [For years I was a rock climber and nothing else. I went to school, yes, and university, yes, but in my heart I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/for-years-i-was-a-rock-climber-and-nothing-else-i-went-to-school-yes/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [An account of an expedition is not a novel. Therefore an authentic account can never be given, let alone written down by someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/an-account-of-an-expedition-is-not-a-novel-therefore-an-authentic/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Ueli Steck, I'm absolutely certain, had a very strong inner drive to keep pushing. He set very high standards for himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/ueli-steck-i-m-absolutely-certain-had-a-very-strong-inner-drive-to/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [I can't tell people to love mountains. They have to find their own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/i-can-t-tell-people-to-love-mountains-they-have-to-find-their-own-way/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [...seen from above, landscapes are made up of mountains and watercourses. Just as a transparent model of the human body consists of a framework…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/seen-from-above-landscapes-are-made-up-of-mountains-and-watercourses/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Mountains are not fair or unfair, they are just dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/mountains-are-not-fair-or-unfair-they-are-just-dangerous/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Out of all the climbers of this generation, I was the one who became known to the larger public. Many of them - not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/out-of-all-the-climbers-of-this-generation-i-was-the-one-who-became/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Bolts are the murder of the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/bolts-are-the-murder-of-the-impossible/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [Mountaineering is over. Alpinism is dead. Maybe its spirit is still alive a little in Britain and America, but it will soon die out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/mountaineering-is-over-alpinism-is-dead-maybe-its-spirit-is-still/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [The Dolomites are the most beautiful rock mountains in the world, but in a few million years they will just be desert.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/the-dolomites-are-the-most-beautiful-rock-mountains-in-the-world-but/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) [Explore all 119 Reinhold Messner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) ## More Air quotes > [I will be a tireless advocate for our District's defense priorities including Sheppard Air Force Base, Pantex, Bell Helicopter, universities conducting important research, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/i-will-be-a-tireless-advocate-for-our-district-s-defense-priorities/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) > [There was a little nook on Air Force Two that contained the vice presidential seal, and I would sort of wedge myself in there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-biden/there-was-a-little-nook-on-air-force-two-that-contained-the-vice/) [Jill Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-biden/) > [Words are substance strange. Speak one and the air ripples into another's ears. Write one and the eye laps it up. But the sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-beachy-quick/words-are-substance-strange-speak-one-and-the-air-ripples-into/) [Dan Beachy-Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-beachy-quick/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [...As the disparity between the rich and the poor grows, the fight to corner resources is intensifying. To push through their "sweetheart deals," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/as-the-disparity-between-the-rich-and-the-poor-grows-the-fight-to/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [Washington bureaucrats have classified the very air we exhale as a pollutant and have gone unchallenged in this incredible assertion. The logical consequence is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/washington-bureaucrats-have-classified-the-very-air-we-exhale-as-a/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [“It is unnatural to fear something natural.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-is-unnatural-to-fear-something-natural/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) Browse all 6,278 Air quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing - nothing I'm proud of.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Reinhold Messner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing-nothing-i-m-proud-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Air" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing-nothing-i-m-proud-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/reinhold-messner-3556_air_i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing_1397228.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I started the whole 'Into Thin Air' thing - nothing I'm proud of.” — Reinhold Messner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Reinhold Messner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I started the whole 'Into Thin...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing-nothing-i-m-proud-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/i-started-the-whole-into-thin-air-thing-nothing-i-m-proud-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```