Theodore Roosevelt

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. It is not the critic who counts.

   Commentary is easy and cheap. Roosevelt says the credit goes to the one who actually does the work. Don't let critics set your course.

   Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910, Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)

2. The credit belongs to the man in the arena.

   The person who shows up and fights, getting dirty and bloody, has earned the respect. Watching from the stands earns nothing. Get in the arena, whatever yours is.

   Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910, Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)

3. There is no effort without error and shortcoming.

   Mistakes are part of trying, not proof you should stop. Anyone doing real work falls short again and again. Expect it and keep striving.

   Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910, Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)

4. If you fail, fail while daring greatly.

   Failure after a bold attempt is honorable. The worse fate is never risking anything and knowing neither victory nor defeat. Aim high enough that falling short still counts.

   Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910, Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)

5. Dare mighty things. Don't live in the gray twilight.

   Roosevelt contrasts a bold life, with wins and failures, to a gray life that risks nothing. The safe middle feels comfortable but leaves you without triumph. Choose the mighty thing.

   The Strenuous Life, Hamilton Club, Chicago, 10 April 1899, Original English (The Strenuous Life, 1900)

6. It is hard to fail. It is worse never to have tried.

   Failure stings, but regret for never trying lasts longer. Roosevelt asks you to weigh those two pains honestly. Try.

   The Strenuous Life, Hamilton Club, Chicago, 10 April 1899, Original English (The Strenuous Life, 1900)

7. In this life we get nothing save by effort.

   Roosevelt adds that even freedom from effort only comes from effort stored up earlier, yours or your parents'. There is no free lunch, only earlier work. Put in yours.

   The Strenuous Life, Hamilton Club, Chicago, 10 April 1899, Original English (The Strenuous Life, 1900)

8. Not ignoble ease. The strenuous life.

   Roosevelt praised toil, hardship and effort over comfort. The highest success goes to those who do not shrink from hard things. Choose the harder, fuller road.

   The Strenuous Life, Hamilton Club, Chicago, 10 April 1899, Original English (The Strenuous Life, 1900)