Happy new year everyone. I recently came across an extract from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt which I thought was very apposite for all those striving to get their latest model boat, or any other project completed.
The extract is called 'The man in the arena.'
Its not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and 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 know neither victory or defeat.
Excerpt from the speech 'Citizenship in a Republic' delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris on 23rd April 1910.
Gareth