The Woman in the Arena

It is not the critic who counts; It's not the woman who points out how the strong woman stumbles Or where the doer of deeds could have done better The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena Where are you standing? 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 actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms The great devotions; Who spends herself in a worthy cause; Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement And who at the worst, if she fails At least fails while daring greatly So that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls Who neither know victory nor defeat