A 116-Year-Old Quote That Can Change Your Life Today

Author

Jacob Templer
February 24, 2025

You and I are no different than anyone else.

There might be a variation, in some cases a significant one - but at its core we all start the same:

We’re born concerned about what others think of us.

Every human being has hardwiring in their system that creates a natural aversion to stepping outside the norm - it is a survival mechanism that’s often served us well. Judgement by the collective against our actions is often a greater fear of ours than our own peril. As a social species, ostracization is a terrifying prospect.

How then can we move to the city, take the job, start the classes, or post the video?

Where does the truth lie? In the weariness of the collective acceptance, or in the bold action of the pioneer?

Back and forth people may go on those questions, but the answer has already been provided. One of its most famous iterations was by the 26th President of the United States, 116 years ago.

In 1910, Teddy Roosevelt delivered a speech, Citizenship in a Republic, where a particular section has lived on for time immemorial:

 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.

Teddy Roosevelt

When it’s all said and done, most people are not regretful of the attempts that failed.

They are regretful of their failure to attempt at all.

There is only one certainty in life for all among us – death.

If we think carefully, why is our initial reaction to the idea of our own mortality fearful? Because it would mean the end of life? The end of the opportunity to live?

Your beliefs may differ, but I’m of the mind that this is all we get. Whatever we’re going to do, now is the only time to do it.

I think the fear of death comes from an unconscious worry that we aren’t living lives we’ll look back on with pride. What does a man who’s lived going for all he was called to got to fear when the end of the road comes?

Nothing – all the stones were turned over.

When the games are over, and everyone shuffles out of their seats to make their way back home, where does the honor lie?

With the spectators hollering from their seats, thinking and dreaming?

Or with the gladiators bold enough to get in the pit?

Each time we choose between fear or courage, we shape who we are. We don’t have to be step into the UFC octagon for a fight – it could be signing up for the flamenco classes at your local dance studio.

We may fail, but at least we never have to associate ourselves with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Sincerely,

Jacob

P.S. Ezekiel bread is a great healthier bread choice - freezer section.