This is one of my favorite quotes. The odd thing is, people perceive Teddy as being some kind of caricature guy who walked around saying "Bully!" and invading Cuba. As I understand it, he was a sickly, introverted kid growing up, but decided to not let that determine who he was.

tNana-You don't think, "hey I know let's make national parks." if you're just some nutty character do you? There were so many movies about crazy people who thougt they were TR that people have mistaken him for his impersonators.

Brilliant! Now THAT's inspiring. Puts risk into perspective.

Amazing. I reproduced this very quotation as a response to one of Don Rich's posts: http://open.salon.com/blog/don_rich/2009/07/20/the_moon_the_stars_and_the_magnets_the_esp
Great minds think alike. Or bad minds. Or something.

Pundits make more money.

great quote, Ti Ti. i've always loved Teddy. yes, he was eccentric but so fucking what? he was a brilliant and wise, if flamboyant, man. what brought this one up? and when is the advice thing coming? i need some humor, man. very badly. love love lvoe

Teddy was pretty smart for a guy with a walrus mustache.

I like that quote... extremely relevant for these times. Another TR quote I like is:
"I think there is only one quality worse than hardness of heart and that is softness of head. "

Or as I've been known to say "It's one thing to talk shit, another altogether to DO shit."

@trig - Good translation!

Victory or defeat can not be done with out being in the arena and trying. I have always loved this quote by Roosevelt. It is one of my many favorite that I have collected of his. It is very powerful in the words spoken. Win or lose you have to keep trying.

Thank you, Tijo. I really needed That right Now. Perfect.

YES!! This reminds me of that quote about critics being the ones "who come in after the battle and shoot the wounded."

Great quote, Tijo! As one who consistently avoids the arena for fear of being "marred" by failure, it is good to be reminded that it is better to step into the arena than sit around "cold and timid" (& then getting old & crazy & full of regrets.)

"No one ever put up a monument to a critic."
---Sibelius

Thanks all for stopping by.
Owl- you seem to be out there doing lately. Here's a "Bully and a Hoozah." for you.
Steve- Pablo Manriquez has a man crush on you and is nominating you for Idol status. Bully for you too.
OEsheepdog- true but then they loose it just like the rest of us which just goes to prove that velocity of mouth and velocity of brain are not always effectively related.
Theo-Hey girl. Advice thing is soon. No reason for the quote. I had saved it the other day because it resonated with me and got tired of looking at poor dead Merce every time I came here and decided to share it with everyone. If it provides encouragement to you at this particular time that is an added bonus. Critics- screw em.
Yahweh- let he who is without excess facial hair fling the first stone.
Mr. Mustard- Presidents don't seem to have sayings anymore do they. I refuse to count W's favorite, "pull my finger heh heh."
Trig- Talking shit is as common as the Japanese Beatle around here.
Fireeyes- CHARGE!
Dicea- There's always someone there to knock you off your horse isn't there? I once made a rule at work that if the tool is not in your hand then no one cares how you would do it. Anyone who gave too much advice got the job for themselves and the original worker got a ten minute break. I had no authority to make this rule but I was bigger than everyone else so....:)
Suzie- I had never heard that quote I like that one. Get in the arena woman everything else is like pergatory isn't it?
Scoub- and I can't think of anyone more suited to being covered in bird shit for centuries.

There is the old saying, "Them that can, do. Them that can't, teach."

It should be modified, "Them that can, do. Them that can't, teach. Them that can't do or teach, critique."

Your collective wisdom travels well.

I love that quote too.

And Sheepy is right, pundits make the cheese.