The One in the Arena

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the irrepressible sometimes flounder, or where the doer of deeds could have achieved the deeds more efficiently. Does not honor belong to the man who is actually in the arena or battlefield, whose body is marred by blood, sweat and tears; who strives boldly; who falters, who comes short yet again and again, because there is no effort without fault and failing; but who actually endeavors to do the deeds; who knows endless passion, possesses loyalty or devotion; who expends himself worthy of a cause; who at best knows in the end the attainment of success and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring to be bold, so that his place shall never be with those impassive and taciturn souls who neither know victory nor defeat.