Daring Greatly: Citizenship In A Republic

“Daring Greatly”
When Theodore Roosevelt used the phrase “daring greatly” in his speech, Citizenship in a Republic, he did not use it lightly. Daring greatly, in and of itself, is not something that should be done cautiously; rather, when someone “dares greatly,” they are committing an extraordinary act without fear of failure. Daring greatly means that if one does fail, then they will pick themselves back up and keep trying. Roosevelt weaves this meaning into his quilt of words when he says, “The credit belongs to those 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…” (Roosevelt). Those who sit back in a constant state of ignorance and bitterness, always criticizing others for trying
Roosevelt cautions his audience against taking the easy route when he says, “There is no more unhealthy being, no man less worthy of respect, than he who either really holds, or feigns to hold, an attitude of sneering disbelief toward all that is great and lofty…” (Roosevelt). In high school, especially, it can seem as if everyone is taking this route: Hallways are full of criticism, and when one person goes out of their way to defend what they believe in, they are torn down by those exact peers whom they were trying to help. There are two ways for the previously described average person to approach this situation: They can either join the “unhealthy beings” who cut others to bits and pieces, or they can join the fighter in the arena, eventually enjoying the “triumph of high achievement,” as Roosevelt describes it. By joining the majority in laziness and cynicism, in bullying, one can never know neither failure nor success. Standing up for both your peers and your morals may seem difficult, but those who act fearlessly, those who stand as tall as a mountain, are