It's Not The Critic Who Counts

Matt Perman:

This is one of the best quotes ever. It’s by Theodore Roosevelt and has been put back in the spotlight again by Brene Brown’s excellent book Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Here it is:

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 nows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

It seems like the world is full of critics who are not actually skilled at doing anything — other than covering up for their lack of ability by hurling criticism at others. Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t be one of those small people “sitting on the sidelines and hurling judgment and advice.” Dare to show up and take action. 

Even at the risk of being criticized.