I like things that are difficult, physically and mentally. Things that are really challenging, things that really maybe take a long time but really push me to my limits.

The summit is just a halfway point.

The mountain decides whether you climb or not. The art of mountaineering is knowing when to go, when to stay, and when to retreat.

Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.

I believe that, with anything in life, if you have the patience, desire and passion, you can do whatever you set your mind to.

Mountains don't kill people, they just sit there.

Yeah, but a mistake is a mistake even if you get away with it.

There are no short cuts to the top.

Mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

I just can't listen to any more Wagner, you know...I'm starting to get the urge to conquer Poland.

Life does wait, if only for a limited time.

I despise common sense. I’ve seen the world from every possible angle. This cruel, ridiculous, beautiful world.

Standing between these two guys you'd have to be me to know how I'm feelin'!

One of my major competitors was Harold Smith. Smith beat me in 1977. I was loafing during that competition.

I sing the progress of a deathless soul.

Portland, Oregon won't build a mile of road without a mile of bike path. You can commute there, even with that weather, all the time.

We must ensure that every worker has healthcare and is able to save for their retirement. We must ensure that our workers have safe and health working conditions.

I think it's hard to convince an audience of some sort of chemistry if you really don't get along.

Selfishness is one of the principal fruits of the corruption of human nature; and it is obvious that selfishness disposes us to over-rate our good qualities, and to overlook or extenuate our defects.