“When I understood the task, it was not with a resolve such as men often make. With me it was a sacred vow, a question of life and death. I knew that I would perish if I failed. Now I felt that the battle was won. Back in the deep recesses of the brain was the solution, but I could net yet give it outward expression.”

—  Nikola Tesla

My Inventions (1919)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Sept. 27, 2023. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "When I understood the task, it was not with a resolve such as men often make. With me it was a sacred vow, a question o…" by Nikola Tesla?
Nikola Tesla photo
Nikola Tesla 125
Serbian American inventor 1856–1943

Related quotes

Paula Modersohn-Becker photo

“How happy I would be if I could give figurative expression to the unconscious feeling that often murmurs so softly and sweetly within me.”

Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876–1907) German artist

In her Diary (1898); as quoted in: Werner Haftmann (1966) An analysis of the artists and their work, p. 82
1898

Terry Pratchett photo

“If I knew that I could die, I would live. My life, my death, my choice.”

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author

Final lines of his Richard Dimbleby lecture Shaking Hands With Death on euthanasia and assisted suicide, quoted in "Terry Pratchett: my case for a euthanasia tribunal" in The Guardian (2 February 2010) http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/feb/02/terry-pratchett-assisted-suicide-tribunal
General sources
Context: I dare say that quite a few people have contemplated death for reasons that much later seemed to them to be quite minor. If we are to live in a world where a socially acceptable "early death" can be allowed, it must be allowed as a result of careful consideration.
Let us consider me as a test case. As I have said, I would like to die peacefully with Thomas Tallis on my iPod before the disease takes me over and I hope that will not be for quite some time to come, because if I knew that I could die at any time I wanted, then suddenly every day would be as precious as a million pounds. If I knew that I could die, I would live. My life, my death, my choice.

Gautama Buddha photo

“I spit on my life.
Death in battle would be better for me
than that I, defeated, survive.”

Gautama Buddha (-563–-483 BC) philosopher, reformer and the founder of Buddhism

This statement is made in reference to his battle against the personification of temptation to evil, Mara.
Source: Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka, Khuddaka Nikaya (Minor Collection), (Suttas falling down), Sutta 3.2. Padhana Sutta

Jean Paul Sartre photo
Edgar Allan Poe photo
Thae Yong-ho photo

“I often was asked questions by my British friends which caught me flat footed. Trying to justify the North Korean system when, deep down, I knew their concerns were fair and legitimate.”

Thae Yong-ho (1961) former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea

Remarks to the U.S. Congress (November 2017)

Farah Pahlavi photo
E. L. James photo

“I vowed I would bring you solace in time of need. Please don't make me break my vows.”

Anastasia Steele, Chapter 4, p. 75.
Fifty Shades Freed (2011)

Gilbert O'Sullivan photo

Related topics