Through a strange kind of geographic arrogance, Europeans like to think that the world was a silent, dark, unknown place until they trooped out and discovered it.

Any man who has ever led an army, an expedition, or a group of Boy Scouts has sadism in his bones.

If hot food is they key to maintaining an expedition's stamina, then low grade gut-rot alcohol is the key to sustaining its sense of pleasure.

The forest did not tolerate frailty of body or mind. Show your weakness, and it would consume you without hesitation.

There comes a stage at which a man would rather die cleanly by a bullet than by the unknown terror of the phantom in the forest.

I was no longer troubled when he pulled out a machete in a crowded bar, tried to pick up schoolgirls, or threatened to scalp us, then rip off our heads and scoop out our brains.

Previous journeys in search of treasure have taught me that a zigzag strategy is the best way to get ahead.

The inertia of a jungle village is a dangerous thing. Before you know it your whole life has slipped by and you are still waiting there.

The rain of Madre de Dios is similar to that of the Amazon, but there is a petrifying aspect to it, as if it seeks to wound rather than to nurture.

On a hard jungle journey nothing is so important as having a team you can trust.

On a harsh expedition, there's no space for anyone who does not intend to finish.

But we don’t run on facts. We run on stories about things. About people.

I'm a slow walker but I never walk back.

So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than a success at something I hate.

Reproach is shame, blame, disgrace, disapproval and a disrespectful attitude toward yourself. When you're under reproach, your behavior shows it.

... man is eating the earth up like a candy bar.

I believe there is a time for meditation in cathedrals of our own.

I shouldn't have to ask for your permission for me to put you in my lie!

How blessed I am that I can walk beside you, lean upon you, and live within the warmth of your love...

People feel completely anonymous online. They can say whatever they want, do whatever they want, why not go the next step and kill people through the Internet?