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“A man doesn't begin to attain wisdom until he recognizes that he is no longer indispensable.”

True wisdom begins when a person accepts that the world does not depend entirely on them.

— Richard E. Byrd, Antarctica

Source: Richard E. Byrd, Alone (1938)

More Proverbs from Antarctica

“Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”

Obstacles are not reasons to stop; they are simply the next problem to solve.

Source: Ernest Shackleton, quoted in Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell, Shackleton's Way (2001)

“By endurance we conquer.”

The Shackleton family motto (Fortitudine Vincimus), which gave the ship Endurance its name — steady persistence, not force, wins in the end.

Source: Shackleton family motto, adopted for the ship name Endurance; Ernest Shackleton, South: The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition (1919)

“Optimism is true moral courage.”

Choosing to stay hopeful in the face of danger is itself a form of bravery.

Source: Ernest Shackleton, diary, quoted in Roland Huntford, Shackleton (1985)

“A man must shape himself to a new mark directly the old one goes to ground.”

When a plan fails, immediately set a new goal rather than dwelling on the loss.

Source: Ernest Shackleton, South: The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition (1919)

“Great God! this is an awful place.”

Scott's diary reaction on 17 January 1912, arriving at the South Pole to find Amundsen's Norwegian flag already there.

Source: Robert Falcon Scott, diary entry 17 January 1912, published in Scott's Last Expedition (1913)

“For God's sake look after our people.”

The final line of Scott's diary, written as he and his companions lay dying in their tent, asking that their families be cared for.

Source: Robert Falcon Scott, final diary entry, 29 March 1912, published in Scott's Last Expedition (1913)