1.
The first great thing is to find yourself and for that you need solitude and contemplation - at least sometimes. I can tell you deliverance will not come from the rushing noisy centers of civilization. It will come from the lonely places.
Fridtjof Nansen
2.
It is better to go skiing and think of God, than go to church and think of sport.
Fridtjof Nansen
It is preferable to hit the slopes and contemplate divinity, than attend a service and entertain thoughts of athletics.
3.
Never stop because you are afraid - you are never so likely to be wrong. Never keep a line of retreat: it is a wretched invention. The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.
Fridtjof Nansen
4.
I demolish my bridges behind me - then there is no choice but forward.
Fridtjof Nansen
I obliterate my pathways behind me - then there is no alternative but onward.
5.
Love is life's snow. It falls deepest and softest into the gashes left by the fight - whiter and purer than snow itself.
Fridtjof Nansen
'Affection is life's snowfall. It permeates the most profound and gentle of wounds inflicted by conflict - more pristine than snow itself.'
6.
The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.
Fridtjof Nansen
'The challenging is what takes a short time; the implausible is what requires more effort.'
7.
If nations could overcome the mutual fear and distrust whose sombre shadow is now thrown over the world, and could meet with confidence and good will to settle their possible differences, they would easily be able to establish a lasting peace.
Fridtjof Nansen
8.
The history of the human race is a continual struggle from darkness into light. It is, therefore, to no purpose to discuss the use of knowledge; man wants to know, and when he ceases to do so, is no longer a man.
Fridtjof Nansen
9.
Have you not succeeded? Continue! Have you succeeded? Continue!
Fridtjof Nansen
'Have you not achieved what you set out to do? Persevere! Have you succeeded? Keep striving!'
10.
Happiness is the struggle towards a summit and, when it is attained, it is happiness to glimpse new summits on the other side.
Fridtjof Nansen
Contentment is the climb towards a peak and, when it is achieved, it is satisfaction to behold new heights beyond.
11.
Is it not in the struggle to obtain knowledge that happiness exists? I am very ignorant, consequently the conditions of happiness are mine.
Fridtjof Nansen
"The acquisition of wisdom brings joy, and as I am relatively inexperienced, the means to true contentment are in my grasp."
12.
You are one with your skis and nature. This is something that develops not only the body but the soul as well, and it has a deeper meaning for a people than most of us perceive.
Fridtjof Nansen
You and your skis are intertwined with nature. This has the potential to cultivate both physical and spiritual strength, and it carries an importance that many overlook.
13.
The whole plan of extermination was nothing less than a cold blooded, calculated political measure, having for its object the annihilation of a superior element in the population, which might prove troublesome, and to this must be added the motive of greed.
Fridtjof Nansen
14.
Never stop because you are afraid - you are never so likely to be wrong.
Fridtjof Nansen
15.
Alas! Alas! Life is full of disappointments; as one reaches one ridge there is always another and a higher one beyond which blocks the view.
Fridtjof Nansen
16.
Man wants to know, and when he ceases to do so, he is no longer a man.
Fridtjof Nansen
17.
Never keep a line of retreat: it is a wretched invention.
Fridtjof Nansen
