We're manly men

I ran across this quote from Teddy Roosevelt on a post on the Art of Manliness and it made me think a bit about my life.


"What we have a right to expect of the American boy is that he shall turn out to be a good American man.
The boy can best become a good man by being a good boy–not a goody-goody boy, but just a plain good boy.

I do not mean that he must love only the negative virtues; I mean that he must love the positive virtues also. ‘Good,’ in the largest sense, should include whatever is fine, straightforward, clean, brave and manly.

The best boys I know–the best men I know–are good at their studies or their business, fearless and stalwart, hated and feared by all that is wicked and depraved, incapable of submitting to wrongdoing, and equally incapable of being aught but tender to the weak and helpless.

Of course the effect that a thoroughly manly, thoroughly straight and upright boy can have upon the companions of his own age, and upon those who are younger, is incalculable.

If he is not thoroughly manly, then they will not respect him, and his good qualities will count for but little; while, of course, if he is mean, cruel, or wicked, then his physical strength and force of mind merely make him so much the more objectionable a member of society.

He can not do good work if he is not strong and does not try with his whole heart and soul to count in any contest; and his strength will be a curse to himself and to every one else if he does not have a thorough command over himself and over his own evil passions, and if he does not use his strength on the side of decency, justice and fair dealing.

In short, in life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard: don’t foul and don’t shirk, but hit the line hard."

Lately I admit I've felt a little jealous of some guys I see because they are out doing things that I always wanted to do but never could. They've got nice cars and motorcycles and go out and do the various things that I never got to do because I was a father at 19. No time for much but taking care of my family. I didn't really get to play around. But I look at these guys and a lot of them seem to be boys in men's bodies and now I don't feel so bad. I'm not saying I'm manly like Teddy is saying but it gives me some idea of how I should be and gives me a template of sorts to use in raising my son.

So anyways, Teddy Roosevelt for Pres. in '08 would be great. Much better choice than what we are stuck with.