Americanism is a question of principle, of idealism, of character. It is not a matter of birthplace, or creed, or line of descent.
Theodore RooseveltRead
The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasums, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that true credit goes to those who actively participate and take risks, rather than those who play it safe.
The quote by Theodore Roosevelt highlights the importance of taking action and putting oneself at risk in pursuit of meaningful goals. It praises those who are engaged in the struggle, celebrating their passions and efforts regardless of the outcome. It serves as a reminder that even in failure, there is honor in daring to try, contrasting this with the inaction of those who avoid challenges and therefore miss out on both victory and defeat.
Themes
CreditArenaCourageActionFailureVictory
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire students during a graduation ceremony to pursue their dreams despite the risks.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
All quotes →It tires me to talk to rich men. You expect a man of millions, the head of a great industry, to be a man worthhearing; but as a rule they don't know anything outside their own business.
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No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar has been fairly earned.
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Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
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Conservation means development as much as it does protection._x000D_ _x000D_ A man's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals insofar as he can.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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 at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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