Teddy Roosevelt Famous Quote Man In The Arena
At the Sorbonne in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910, Teddy Roosevelt delivered a speech that would become one of his most famous: "Citizenship In A Republic." In that speech, he spoke about the importance of being an active and engaged member of society, and he coined a phrase that has become known as the "man in the arena" quote.
The Quote
The quote goes as follows: "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."
The Meaning
So, what does this quote mean? Simply put, it means that the person who is actually doing the work and putting themselves out there is the one who deserves credit and praise. It is easy to criticize from the sidelines, but it takes courage and determination to actually step into the arena and take action.
Roosevelt was advocating for the importance of being an active participant in society, rather than a passive observer. He believed that it was the duty of every citizen to contribute to the betterment of their country, and that it was only through action and hard work that real change could be achieved.
Applying the Quote
This quote can be applied to many different areas of life, from personal goals to political activism. Here are a few examples:
- Pursuing a career: Rather than simply dreaming about your dream job, get out there and make it happen. Take risks, work hard, and don't be afraid to fail.
- Political activism: If you see something that you believe needs to be changed in your community or country, don't just complain about it. Get involved, speak up, and take action.
- Personal growth: Whether it's learning a new skill or overcoming a fear, the only way to truly succeed is to get out of your comfort zone and take action.
Conclusion
Teddy Roosevelt's "man in the arena" quote has become a timeless reminder of the importance of taking action and being an active participant in society. Whether you're pursuing a career, advocating for political change, or simply trying to better yourself, remember that it is the person who is actually doing the work who deserves credit and praise. So, get out there and be the man in the arena.