1.01.04. Book 1: Chapter 4

4 A VOICE said, "Climb." And he said, "How shall I climb? The mountains are so steep that I cannot climb." The voice said, "Climb or die."

He said, "But how? I see no way up those steep ascents. This that is asked of me is too hard for me." The voice said, " Climb or perish, soul and body of thee, mind and spirit of thee. There is no second choice for any son of man. Climb or die."

Then he remembered that he had read in the books of the bravest climbers on the hills of earth, that sometimes they were aware of the Presence of a Companion on the mountains who was not one of the earthly party of climbers. How much more certain was the Presence of his Guide as he climbed the high places of the spirit. And he remembered a word in the Book of Moun­taineers that heartened him, My soul is continually in my hand-it heartened him, for it told him that he was created to walk in precarious places, not on the easy levels of life. This decision that had to be made, this stern task that would test the fibre of character, this duty that must be performed, this blame that must be accepted without self-defence or resentment-these things were part of the day’s work for the true mountaineer. And he said to his foe, Love-of-fleshly-ease, "Rejoice not against me, 0 mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will go in the strength of the Lord God." And other words came and put new life into him: "When I said, my foot slippeth; Thy mercy, 0 Lord, held me up. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet; and setteth me upon my high places. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. Thou hast girded me with strength. Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe." And he said, "I will climb."