Quote About The Man In The Arena
“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.”
These words were spoken by the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, in 1910. The quote is commonly referred to as “The Man in the Arena” and has been used in many speeches, articles, and books over the years. The quote is a powerful reminder that it is not the critic who matters, but the person who is actually putting themselves out there and trying to make a difference.
The Meaning of the Quote
The quote is often used in the context of sports, to remind athletes that it is not the spectators or armchair quarterbacks who matter, but the players who are actually on the field, giving it their all.
But the quote can be applied to any situation where someone is trying to make a difference. It could be a business owner who is taking a risk and starting a new venture, an artist who is putting their work out there for the world to see, or a parent who is doing their best to raise their children.
The quote is a reminder that it is easy to criticize from the sidelines, but it takes real courage and commitment to be the one who is actually in the arena, putting themselves out there and trying to make a difference.
The Importance of Taking Risks
The quote also speaks to the importance of taking risks. As Roosevelt reminds us, “there is no effort without error and shortcoming.”
When we try something new, we are bound to make mistakes. We may stumble and fall, but it is in those moments that we learn and grow. The only way to avoid making mistakes is to never try anything new, but that is not a life worth living.
The quote reminds us that it is better to try and fail than to never try at all. It is better to be the person who is in the arena, striving valiantly, even if they come up short, than to be the person who never tries anything new.
The Triumph of High Achievement
Finally, the quote speaks to the triumph of high achievement. Roosevelt reminds us that the person in the arena “knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause.”
When we put ourselves out there and give it our all, we may not always succeed, but when we do, it is a triumph of high achievement. We have given it our all and come out on top.
The quote reminds us that it is not just about winning or losing, but about the effort we put into something. When we strive valiantly and give it our all, we can be proud of what we have accomplished, even if we don’t come out on top.
Conclusion
“The Man in the Arena” is a powerful quote that reminds us of the importance of taking risks, putting ourselves out there, and striving valiantly towards a worthy cause. It is a reminder that it is not the critic who matters, but the person who is actually in the arena, giving it their all.
So the next time you are feeling discouraged or afraid to take a risk, remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt and be the person who is in the arena, striving valiantly towards a worthy cause. You may not always succeed, but you will have given it your all and that is something to be proud of.