Rebecca Skeeles explores one of Theodore Roosevelt's most moving and inspiration speeches. In his speech, Citizenship in a Republic, TR talks about the virtue of the 'Man in the Arena' and the failings of the critic. Check out this presentation to learn more!

1. GREAT SPEECHES IN HISTORY
Theodore Roosevelt and “The Man in the Arena”

2. APRIL 23,1910; PARIS, FRANCE
In 1910, America was in a tumultuous state. Investigative
journalism had revealed massive political corruption to the woe
of the common people. Gilded Age Industrialism had made the
rich richer and poor poorer.
In the spring of that year, Theodore Roosevelt was traveling the
world, after finishing his second term as President. He spent time
in Africa on safari and then traveled north to France. When he
arrived in France, he was invited to speak at the Sorbonne, the
famed Grand Amphitheater at the University of Paris.

3. Under the eyes of stone effigies
depicting France’s greatest minds;
Lavoisier, Descartes, Pascal,
Sorbonne; Theodore Roosevelt
delivers Citizenship in a Republic.
The speech is a stirring address
about the requirements of
citizenship and the necessities of
maintaining a robust democracy.

4. THE MAN IN THE ARENA
The most famous passage of the speech came near the beginning and
become known for the “man in the arena” quote.
In this passage, TR condemns the man who sits in judgement but shies
away from participation.

5. “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 whois 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.”
–Theodore Roosevelt (1910)

6. It is not surprising that these
words have echoed through the
years. Cynicism and inactivity so
often go hand in hand. Roosevelt’s
condemnation of those who would
sooner criticize than perform is
heartfelt, personal and scathing —
a truly exquisite verbal barrage. As
harsh as he is to the cynic, he is
encouraging to the doer. To try and
fail is a far better ending than a life
lived with neither.

7. Theodore Roosevelt has many exceptional speeches,
but few are as poignant and inspiring as this selection
from Citizenship in a Republic. His words are just as
important today as they were over 100 years ago.
Thanks for reading!