On Critics

"

It's not the critic who counts,

not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,

or when the doer of deeds could have done 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 and comes short again and again;

who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions

and 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 know neither victory or defeat.

"

--Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

...addressing the Sorbonne, in Paris

* * * * *

For two summers, I contemplated having this quote tattood in olde english script on my back. In the end, I opted not to because I wouldn't be able to see it, and I don't want it on my chest. But one day --- with enough vodka in me, there is still a distinct possibility. The point is, the words mean enough to me that I wouldn't mind ALWAYS having them at arms reach. Hope you take it with you, too.

--Stew.

(Dec 21, 2006)