[Daffynition]

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

[3RIVRS]

As a former TR/CVN71 sailor this speech has been drilled in to my skull. The money quote is even in my shadow box.

[mad_as_he$$]

Were you watching “Blue Bloods” reruns?

[be-baw]

I’m about halfway through Morris’ second volume of his three volume TR biography. Great reading. I’ve read about a half dozen presidential biographies. I enjoyed them all but this one is probably best. Excellent writing, it flows very well. Volume 1 deservedly won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.

Highly recommended.

[cyclotic]

I think of that quote often.

For all of us who reflexively stand for our principles against overwhelming odds we are the man in the arena/

We’re going to get bruised battered and beaten, but we still get up and fight.

I volunteer with a youth organization with a mission statement that reads:

“To guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others and experience outdoor adventure”

Think we get some flaming arrows shot at us?

But we know at the end the triumph of high achievement and how to spend ourselves for a worthy cause.

Whatever your cause-Dare greatly.

[Bratch]

Link to full speech:

[minnesota_bound]

#1 there is always a critic : )