Latest Greg Mortenson Quotes from Interviews

Quotes about:

• Some of the most memorable moments I've had is to have my family along - who are our greatest ambassadors for peace. Politics will never bring peace, but people will.

  Greg Mortenson

  Memorable, People, Moments

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Our greatest ally in the Pakistan region of turmoil is the moderate Muslim majority, who we must reach out to and embrace if we ever are to have peace for our children.

  Greg Mortenson

  Children, Embrace, Reach Out

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• By the way, although the subtitle of the book "Three Cups of Tea" is "fighting terror, one school at a time", that was not my choice, as fighting terror is not why I do this, I do it to promote peace, and give hope and opportunity to children deprived of education.

  Greg Mortenson

  Children, Book, School

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• The people of Pakistan are some of the most hospitable, kinds and generous people I have met anywhere, in the over 70 countries I have visited in my lifetime.

  Greg Mortenson

  Country, People, Kind

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• The Koran and Islam is about submission, justice and compassion. All people of the "book" - which means the Torah, Koran and Bible are accorded equal respect under Islam.

  Greg Mortenson

  Book, Mean, Compassion

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• I think Americans yearn for other alternatives to peace, than the path our government has currently taken, and perhaps why there is great interest in this book, and the message to fight poverty and ignorance with education.

  Greg Mortenson

  Book, Taken, Ignorance

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• My work to promote education and literacy in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan has become my life's mission. This takes a full-time commitment 365 24/7.

  Greg Mortenson

  Commitment, Literacy, Afghanistan

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Certainly I am sometimes afraid, but my hope is greater than my fear, and the biggest enemy we all face is ignorance which breeds hatred, whether it be in America, or Afghanistan, or anywhere. We owe it to our children that we may give them all a legacy of peace, but it will take courage and compassion.

  Greg Mortenson

  Children, Ignorance, Compassion

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• In America we now live more in fear than in hope, and eventually that will lead to ignorance and hatred. We need to have optimism that the world can be a better place, and we can leave a legacy for our children. Being bilingual, travel and studying geography, culture and religions can help.

  Greg Mortenson

  Children, Ignorance, Optimism

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• In tribal society, the most important thing to do when civilians are killed in a skirmish is to acknowledge the deaths, and provide compensation. When tribal clans fight, the victor is required to take care of the vanquished widows and orphans, which puts a limitation on bloodshed, and tempers warring groups to try and negotiate a compromise.

  Greg Mortenson

  Fighting, Trying, Important

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• According to UNESCO: there are over 154 million children in the world deprived of education due to poverty, slavery, racism, religious extremism, gender discrimination, and geographical isolation. The cost to educate a child in the third world is about $ 1 per month per child. To achieve global literacy, the investment would be $ 8 billion per year for 15 years.

  Greg Mortenson

  Religious, Children, Racism

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• I've actually spent about half of my life overseas in the third world. I grew up in Tanzania, East Africa, and later lived in South-West Asia. In general, everywhere I go, I am treated with great respect and hospitality, but I need to be sensitive to cultural, tribal and ethical customs of the local people. In this modern era of technology, I think we forget that the most important thing when traveling is to listen and learn, and establish relationship, and not be hidden behind technology like Goretex, emails, satellite phones, and insulated from the people around you.

  Greg Mortenson

  Thinking, Technology, People

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• I've had two fatwas issued against me by despot mullahs opposed to education - and important to know that the great majority of Imams and Islamic religious leaders support education for all children.

  Greg Mortenson

  Religious, Children, Islamic

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• There is still a desperate need for investment and promotion of education in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Official figures put Pakistan literacy rate over 45%, but in many rural areas we work it is about 10-15%, and for girls even lower.

  Greg Mortenson

  Girl, Literacy, Investment

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Everywhere I go in Pakistan and Afghanistan, I am touched by the fierce desire for education, and the outpouring of hospitality and generosity. The most important ingredient is the relationships. The process takes "Three Cups of Tea". First you are a stranger, second a friend, and the third, you become family, but the process takes several years. Here in America, we have 8 second sound bytes, 2 minute football drills, and thirty minute power lunches.

  Greg Mortenson

  Football, Generosity, Tea

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com