Saturday, June 23, 2012

Theodore Roosevelt on Adversity ~ John J Arent



Years ago when I was struggling with a major challenge in my career, I received this quote from a colleague.  It was written by President Theodore Roosevelt.  I had it framed and on my desk and I referred to it daily.  It gave me strength to get through the day and ultimately we were able to be successful.

In this time of economic uncertainty, I want you to have Teddy's words close by you to help you in your time of trouble.
“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 and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, 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 he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

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