23 Quotes by Ranulph Fiennes

It is a truism to say that the dog is largely what his master makes of him: he can be savage and dangerous, untrustworthy, cringing and fearful; or he can be faithful and loyal, courageous and the best of companions and allies.

No one will pay you for planning an expedition at first: you have to work in pubs at weekends so you can pay the gas bills. I joined the Territorial Army, which paid me when I turned up to drill nights, and so did my wife.

While I was serving, I worked as an adventure training officer, teaching soldiers how to ski, canoe and climb.

I go on expeditions for the same reason an estate agent sells houses - to pay the bills.

As a rule, anything that is pretty you avoid when on an expedition in the polar extremes. Normally anything other than white means a hazard such as a crevasse.

Rivalry is one of the factors pushing me. While my back was turned, the Norwegians managed to achieve the first Arctic crossing in winter. I didn't want the same to happen in the Antarctic.

Will I spend my life in a wheelchair? Tottering around my lounge, instead of running up mountain passes or navigating glaciers?

With fear, you must prevent not cure. Fear must nor be allowed to take hold in the first place. If you are in a canoe never listen to the roar of the rapid ahead before you let go of the river bank. Just do it!

After my heart attack I thought, is this it?