If you fail, fail while daring greatly.

What it means

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.

The source

"If you fail, fail while daring greatly." Theodore Roosevelt said it in Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910. Written in English: Citizenship in a Republic, 1910.

"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."

Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910), Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910. Text read at en.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). Twenty-sixth president of the United States. His speeches The Strenuous Life (1899) and Citizenship in a Republic (1910), the man in the arena, praised effort over comfort.

Questions

What does "If you fail, fail while daring greatly." mean?

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.

Who said "If you fail, fail while daring greatly."?

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). Source: Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910.

What is the original wording?

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 (Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)). Written in English: Citizenship in a Republic, 1910.

Is "If you fail, fail while daring greatly." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"If you fail, fail while daring greatly." (Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910, trans. Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/if-you-fail-fail-while-daring-greatly