The man who goes on, even when it's the hardest to be the winner.

It's amazing that more people have climbed Mount Everest than have broken the 4-minute mile.

If I faltered, there would be no arms to hold me and the world would be a cold and forbidding place.

The Athletic Association competed against the University. So there was an event. You cannot break world records unless it is an established event, and you have three timekeepers, and the whole thing is organized.

Just because they say it's impossible doesn't mean you can't do it.

Doctors and scientists said breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead

I've always been very impatient. At age 10 I frankly found life boring, and I can remember age 9 having the awful thought, as it seems now looking back on it, A war! That should liven things up a bit!