“Scott for scientific method, Amundsen for speed and efficiency, but when disaster strikes and all hope is gone, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.”
Priestley's tribute ranking the three great Antarctic explorers by their distinct strengths, with Shackleton unmatched in crisis leadership.
— Raymond Priestley, Antarctica
Source: Sir Raymond Priestley, address to the British Science Association (1956), as widely reported
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.
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.
Optimism is true moral courage.
Choosing to stay hopeful in the face of danger is itself a form of bravery.
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.
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.
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.