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achievement, Act, courage, critic, daring, defeat, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, failure, Fear, life, pain, pride, Purpose, striving, strong, struggles, success, victory, weak, worthy cause
There are many men who feel a kind of twister pride in cynicism; there are many who confine themselves to criticism of the way others do what they themselves dare not even attempt. There is no more unhealthy being, no man less worthy of respect, than he who either really holds, or feigns to hold, an attitude of sneering disbelief toward all that is great and lofty, whether in achievement or in that noble effort which, even if it fails, comes to second achievement. A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticize work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life’s realities – all these are marks, not as the possessor would fain to think, of superiority but of weakness. They mark the men unfit to bear their part painfully in the stern strife of living, who seek, in the affection of contempt for the achievements of others, to hide from others and from themselves in their own weakness. The role is easy; there is none easier, save only the role of the man who sneers alike at both criticism and performance. “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.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
elizabeth2560 said:
I love this quote. It is so true.
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dianasschwenk said:
Me too Elizabeth! ❤
Diana x0
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Amen! Great post, Diana.
-Alan
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Mark David Goodson said:
Love this quote. I have it on my desk at home.
We live in a society that rewards the critic, the talking head. It’s harder and harder for younger generations to appreciate what it means to “be in the arena” I think. That’s why i teach this speech and idea when I transcendentalism with my sophomores.
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dianasschwenk said:
I love that you do that Mark! You know… it’s my generation that taught our kids they are all winners and can be anything they want. We did some harm there. Young people who want to quit their jobs if they don’t make a huge difference in a year or two. Some things take lots of hard work in the “arena” and a lifetime to build or achieve. ❤
Diana xo
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Mark David Goodson said:
That’s an interesting connection I’ve never thought to make! I’ve heard people make that claim before, but never connected it this generation.
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dianasschwenk said:
Mark, you might find this video interesting… https://www.facebook.com/deltaprotective/videos/10157890106040640/? pnref=story
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Chatter Master said:
A great quote for any time. I feel like I, and most people I know, are in the arena.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes Ma’am. I’d say you are definitely in the arena Colleen! ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Thank you Diana ❤
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Jean said:
Not sure how to interpret the quote in light of these historic last few wks. and more to come.
If it’s simple applied to the federal Canadian political scene, then yes I would agree: we simply don’t know but important ordinary Canadians don’t become complacent.
If applied to U.S. federal political scene, those who now hold power, have enormous responsibility…no matter how large the protest crowds/march has been. I want to believe the leader in Prez. office will listen to complexity, but he’s not showing it.
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dianasschwenk said:
I didn’t even think about politics when I shared this Jean. You pose an interesting question! ❤
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
Thank you for being in the arena, Diana.
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dianasschwenk said:
What a sweet thing to say – thanks Russ! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
A great man of wisdom. Love this Diana! 💕
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dianasschwenk said:
me too Karen – thanks! ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
A bloody good quote
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dianasschwenk said:
Right? Thanks Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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David Kanigan said:
Classic, and will be 150 hears from today.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, it transcends time David! ❤
Diana xo
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