Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by William Hutchinson Murray (American Mountaineer)

William Hutchison Murray (1913–96) was a Scottish mountaineer and writer whose works significantly shaped climbing literature and conservation efforts.

Born in Liverpool, he became a leading figure in Scottish mountaineering before World War II. Enlisting in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, he was captured in 1942 during the Western Desert Campaign and spent three years in prisoner-of-war camps.

While imprisoned, he wrote Mountaineering in Scotland on rough toilet paper, but the Gestapo destroyed the manuscript. Determined, he rewrote it, leading to its publication in 1947, followed by Undiscovered Scotland (1951,) both instrumental in revitalizing post-war Scottish winter climbing. In 1951, he served as deputy leader of the Everest Reconnaissance Expedition but struggled with altitude acclimatization. In 1953, he explored Nepal’s Api group with John Tyson.

A dedicated conservationist, he led efforts against a hydroelectric project in Glen Nevis in 1961. His literary legacy also includes The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951,) Scotland’s Mountains (1987,) and Beautiful Scotland (1976.) His autobiography The Evidence of Things Not Seen (2002) won the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Book Festival.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Hutchinson Murray

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
—William Hutchinson Murray
Topics: Dream, Power, Courage, Genius

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”
—William Hutchinson Murray
Topics: Commitment, Ignorance, Genius, Dream, Sin, Wise, Learn, Act, Beginning, Decision, Effectiveness, Truth, Dedication, Power, Perseverance

A dose of poison can do its work but once. A bad book can go on poisoning minds for generations.
—William Hutchinson Murray
Topics: Books, Reading

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