Triumph in the Arena: Recognizing the True Doers of Deeds
Public Servants Who Strive, Achieve, and Dare Greatly
In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech in Paris, France, entitled “Citizenship in a Republic.” In his speech, Roosevelt warns against the dangers of cynicism and argues that it is a sign of weakness, not superiority, and that those who adopt this attitude are often trying to hide their own inability to take action or achieve greatness.
Roosevelt criticizes those who confine themselves to criticizing others without attempting to do better themselves, and who use their cynicism as a way to avoid engaging with the challenges of life. Instead, he advocates for a more positive and engaged approach to life, one that acknowledges the value of achievement and the importance of striving for greatness.
He says:
“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 the 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.”
The proliferation of contempt and cynicism in our political discourse has led to a toxic atmosphere of distrust and division, where genuine dialogue and constructive debate are increasingly rare, and scorched-earth tactics are rewarded over substance and sincerity. As we normalize the language of disdain and mockery, we risk eroding the foundations of civil discourse, dehumanizing our opponents, and undermining the very notion of a shared public good.
In response to this issue, I'm excited to launch a new series, "In the Arena," which shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of public service - dedicated officials who are driving meaningful progress and making a real difference in people's lives.
It's all too easy to villainize "government bureaucrats" as the root of our problems, but the truth is that there are countless public servants working tirelessly behind the scenes, fueled by a passion for the public good and a commitment to serving others. Through this series, I aim to give these individuals the recognition they deserve, and to remind us all that there are still many reasons to be hopeful about the power of public service to drive positive change.
As we navigate an era where cynicism and division often overshadow constructive dialogue, it is more important than ever to recognize and celebrate those who choose action over apathy, service over self-interest. “In the Arena” is my effort to highlight these unsung heroes, whose dedication to public service fuels the progress that often goes unnoticed.
I’m excited to share the first edition of this series with you soon. Stay tuned as we dive into the stories of individuals who embody the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt’s call to dare greatly, strive valiantly, and contribute to the public good.