In recent years, our communities have become cultures that are defined by pessimism and fear rather than the curiosity and adventurous spirit of those gentleman who have preceded us. A stranger on the street is now a potential threat instead of a potential friend; a skinned knee that was once the badge of a healthful childhood is now a reason to close playgrounds and sandlots; a bicycle ride around the block has been replaced by the relative safety of large and obtrusive automobiles. However, for every new experience and risk and adventure that we forego for the sake of safety, we rob ourselves of those magical moments upon which life is worth reflecting. The risks of an unadventurous life are far greater than the alternative.
The antidote for this malady of modern gentleman is of course to deliberately seek out the adventure of new experiences and to take risks in doing so. My advice is to learn to do the things that scare you the most—rappel off of a cliff, perform a back flip off of a diving board, ride a bicycle with no hands, speak to a large crowd, or handle the honeycombs of a populated beehive. If you are like me, you will require the consolation that can be found in the words of people worth looking up to. I have gathered together some quotes—said by people who have have, at one point or another, given me inspiration during a challenge, or comfort during a failure.
- On learning to cook: “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” Julia Child—OSS Intelligence Officer in WWII, Chef
- About being the first person to reach the North Pole : “I think I’m the first man to sit on top of the world.” Matthew Henson—Polar Explorer
- Response to being asked why he wanted to be the first person to climb Mount Everest: “Because it’s there.” George Mallory—Himalayan Mountain Climber, attempted to reach the summit of Mt. Everest
- About leading French Resistance fighters during WWII: “Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on one’s ideas, to take a calculated risk – and to act.” Andre Malraux—art historian, France’s Minister of Culture
- On wilderness adventure: “Even in these mercifully emancipated decades, many people still seem quite seriously alarmed at the prospect of sleeping away from officially consecrated campsites, with no more equipment than they can carry on their backs. When pressed, they babble about snakes or bears or even, by God, bandits. But the real barrier, I’m sure, is the unknown.” Colin Fletcher—Royal Marine during WWII, backpacker and explorer, first man to walk the length of the Grand Canyon
- In a newspaper advertisement he penned seeking men for his expedition to the South Pole “Men Wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” Ernest Shackleton—Polar Explorer, attempted to reach the South Pole
Gentleman Afield 
Oh my, I knew Colin from long ago when he played tennis with us at the Carmel Valley Racket Club. Colin was a good player, although we always complained because he took so long to put his socks and shoes on, maybe deliberately stalling the action. Once I asked if I could hike with him, and he declined, saying he only hiked or trekked alone. he was a true gem of a man.
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