It is not the critic who counts.

What it means

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.

The source

"It is not the critic who counts." Theodore Roosevelt said it in Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910. Written in English: Citizenship in a Republic, 1910.

"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."

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 "It is not the critic who counts." mean?

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.

Who said "It is not the critic who counts."?

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

What is the original wording?

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

Is "It is not the critic who counts." on a shirt?

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

"It is not the critic who counts." (Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship in a Republic, Sorbonne, Paris, 23 April 1910, trans. Original English (Citizenship in a Republic, 1910)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/it-is-not-the-critic-who-counts