It is not the critic but the doer of deeds who counts

Being a critic can be life’s easy pastime. Perhaps this is the reason why, most men spend a good deal of their time in perfecting the art of being a critic.

Unsolicited critical analysis of everything and anything under the high heavens is meticulously done through the normal course of a day.

From politicians to weather forecasts, from celebrities to news broadcasts, from world affairs to rural lifestyles, nothing escapes the eyes of the critics who loom large in the face of the earth. They are the self-appointed ‘Lords of all they survey.’

They ruthlessly tarnish the reputation and good will of many others who put in the hard work, sweating it out, giving their best.

Do such critics count in the progress of a nation?

Do such men reach their own peak performances? Does their opinion contribute towards a better world?

Are these men vital in enhancing the ethical values, social norms and moral principles of the society?

Thinkers, philosophers, distinguished leaders and men of real substance, think not.
 
It was Theodore Roosevelt who said with rhetoric, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done 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 knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and 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 doing greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”

Who then, counts? The simple man who sagaciously goes about his work being his own critic, counts.

The noble man, who prudently examines his personal intentions and efforts in any given day rather than playing judge to others around him, counts.

The hardworking man who pours out his energy and resources in attaining self-mastery, counts.

The unassuming man who is busy learning from his faults and undoing the mistakes of his past behaviour, counts.

The humble man who, knowing fully well that it is an imperfect world that men live in, strives towards being tolerant and empathetic of others, counts.

The enlightened man, who will have the courage to “ask not what my country can do for me but what I can do for my country,” counts.

As John C Maxwell in his book, ‘Your bridge to a better future,’ writes, “Don’t stand on the side-lines of life criticizing the performance of others, Get into the game.”