This past Saturday, Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon (and America’s most famous astronaut) passed away. Tributes from around the world called him an icon of exploration and a true American hero. Unlike most of the leaders we feature in this space, Armstrong didn’t start or run a business (though he did serve on several corporate boards). However, he was an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word: willing to take huge risks to do something no one else had ever done.
Armstrong is most famous for what he said after taking the first step on the moon: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” But he said a few other things that we think are pretty inspirational for others who are trying to take steps in new and exciting places. Take a look:
“Pilots take no special joy in walking. Pilots like flying.”
“There can be no great accomplishment without risk.”
“I believe that every human has a finite number of heart beats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.”
“…humanity is not forever chained to this planet, our visions go rather further than that and our opportunities are unlimited.”
“I think we tried very hard not to be overconfident, because when you get overconfident, that’s when something snaps up and bites you.”
“I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work.”
“…it’s in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It’s by the nature of his deep inner soul… we’re required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream.”
—Neil Armstrong, Astronaut and First Man on the Moon
