Thor Heyerdahl Quotes

A collection of quotes by Thor Heyerdahl.

Thor Heyerdahl was a Norwegian adventurer, archaeologist, and writer. He was born on October 6, 1914, in Larvik, Norway, and passed away on April 18, 2002, in Italy. Heyerdahl is best known for his remarkable expeditions and theories that challenged conventional wisdom and shed light on human history.

In 1947, he gained worldwide fame with his Kon-Tiki expedition, during which he sailed across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft, replicating the ancient migration routes of South Americans. Heyerdahl documented this journey in his bestselling book "Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft," which captivated readers and epitomized his audacious spirit.

Throughout his career, Heyerdahl conducted numerous archaeological expeditions, aiming to prove his theories about early human migration. In 1952, he ventured to the Polynesian islands to unearth evidence supporting his belief that ancient South Americans settled there, challenging established migration theories at the time. Subsequently, he conducted similar research projects in the Maldives, Easter Island, and Túcume, among others.

Heyerdahl's work significantly contributed to the field of archaeology, anthropology, and oceanography. His boldness, determination, and ability to push boundaries inspired countless explorers, and he was recognized with numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including the Royal Geographical Society's Founder's Medal and the United Nations Gold Medal. Thor Heyerdahl's legacy continues to inspire curiosity and exploration, reminding us to constantly challenge our understanding of the world and its history.

Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.

Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity.

Thor Heyerdahl

Funny Man Simplicity Progress

Circumstances cause us to act the way we do. We should alway

Circumstances cause us to act the way we do. We should always bear this in mind before judging the actions of others. I realized this from the start during World War II.

Thor Heyerdahl

War

I have never been able to grasp the meaning of time. I don't

I have never been able to grasp the meaning of time. I don't believe it exists. I've felt this again and again, when alone and out in nature. On such occasions, time does not exist. Nor does the future exist.

Thor Heyerdahl

Alone

I was in uniform for four years, and I know that heroism doe

I was in uniform for four years, and I know that heroism doesn't occur from taking orders, but rather from people who through their own willpower and strength are willing to sacrifice their lives for an idea.

Thor Heyerdahl

Strength

In my experience, it is rarer to find a really happy person

In my experience, it is rarer to find a really happy person in a circle of millionaires than among vagabonds.

Thor Heyerdahl

Experience

Those who have experienced the most, have suffered so much t

Those who have experienced the most, have suffered so much that they have ceased to hate. Hate is more for those with a slightly guilty conscience, and who by chewing on old hate in times of peace wish to demonstrate how great they were during the war.

Thor Heyerdahl

Peace

For every minute, the future is becoming the past.

For every minute, the future is becoming the past.

Thor Heyerdahl

Future

It is also rarer to find happiness in a man surrounded by th

It is also rarer to find happiness in a man surrounded by the miracles of technology than among people living in the desert of the jungle and who by the standards set by our society would be considered destitute and out of touch.

Thor Heyerdahl

Happiness

One learns more from listening than speaking.And both the wi

One learns more from listening than speaking.And both the wind and the people who continue to live close to nature still have much to tell us which we cannot hear within university walls.

Thor Heyerdahl

Nature

Civilization grew in the beginning from the minute that we h

Civilization grew in the beginning from the minute that we had communication - particularly communication by sea that enabled people to get inspiration and ideas from each other and to exchange basic raw materials.

Thor Heyerdahl

Communication

A civilized nation can have no enemies, and one cannot draw

A civilized nation can have no enemies, and one cannot draw a line across a map, a line that doesn't even exist in nature and say that the ugly enemy lives on the one side, and good friends live on the other.

Thor Heyerdahl

Nature