Fridtjof Nansen

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. A line of retreat is a wretched invention for people who wish to push on.

   Nansen planned his expeditions with no easy way back, on purpose. A safe exit invites you to use it. Commit so fully that forward is the only direction.

   Farthest North, Vol. I (1897), ch. 8, Original English (Farthest North, Vol. I, 1897)

2. The first great thing is to find yourself, and for that you need solitude.

   The old explorer told students not to be carried away by the rush and scramble of modern life. You cannot hear yourself in constant noise. Go somewhere quiet, regularly.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

3. Everyone should try to hit upon his own trail.

   Nansen did not want young people copying anyone, including him. The path that fits you has to be found, not borrowed. Look for yours.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

4. Burn your boats and demolish the bridges behind you.

   Nansen called this the one real secret of his successes. On the Greenland crossing he landed on the empty east coast so the only way out was across. Remove the option of quitting.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

5. There is no choice but forward.

   Once the bridges are down, nobody wastes time looking behind. All energy goes into the way ahead. Make forward the only direction.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

6. The test of a man is how he behaves at each cross-road.

   Some people waver at every fork, trying to keep all roads open, and end up nowhere. Nansen says character shows in how you choose. Decide, and commit.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

7. He takes one road and sticks to that, and he always arrives somewhere.

   Think it through, then pick a road and stay on it. A committed traveler always gets somewhere; a wavering one gets nowhere. Choose and go.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

8. Our ancestors did not hug the coast.

   Nansen reminded Scottish students that their Norse ancestors sailed for distant shores. Coastal sailing is safe and small. Head for open water.

   Adventure, rectorial address at St Andrews, 3 November 1926 (Adventure and Other Papers, 1927), Original English (Adventure, and Other Papers, 1927)

9. The limits of the unknown recede step by step.

   Nansen opens his book with the long history of people pushing north into the unknown. Ignorance gives way slowly, one expedition at a time. Every step you take into new ground counts.

   Farthest North, Vol. I (1897), ch. 1, Introduction, Original English (Farthest North, Vol. I, 1897)