Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that earth is a big furry goddess-creature who re...sembles everybody's mom in that she knows what's best for us. But if you look at the historical record--Krakatoa, Mt. Vesuvius, Hurricane Charley, poison ivy, and so forth down the ages--you have to ask yourself: Whose side is she on, anyway?LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Again, he felt a crude ecstasy. He could not have given the reason, but the mountain tormented him, beckoned him, held an answer t...o something he wanted. It was so pure, so austere.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I am afraid if there is anything to be afraid of. A precipice cannot hurt you. Lions and tigers can. The streets of New York I con...sider more dangerous than the Matterhorn to a thoroughly competent and careful climber.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Climbing is unadulterated hard labor. The only real pleasure is the satisfaction of going where no man has been before and where f...ew can follow.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Nothing to mountaineering, just a little physical endurance, a good deal of brains, lots of practice, and plenty of warm clothing.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Passionate love, I take it, rarely lasts long, and is very troublesome while it does last. Mutual esteem is very much more valuabl...e.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Children, I talks to God and God talks to me. I goes out and talks to God in de fields and de woods. Dis morning I was walking out..., and I got over de fence. I saw de wheat a holding up its head, looking very big. I goes up and takes holt ob it. You b'lieve it, dere was no wheat dare? I says, God, what is de matter wid dis wheat? and he says to me, "Sojourner, dere is a little weasel in it." Now I hears talkin' about de Constitution and de rights of man. I comes up and I takes hold of dis Constitution. it looks mighty big, and I feels for my rights, but der aint any dare. Den, I says, God, what ails dis Constitution? He says to me, "Sojourner, dere is a little weasel in it." I carry no weapon; the Lord will reserve [i.e., preserve] me without weapons, I feel safe even in the midst of my enemies; for the truth is powerful and will prevail.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »