It is NOT the CRITIC who COUNTS
(and other inspiring quotes)

NOT THE CRITIC WHO COUNTS

"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 and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, 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 he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

THE LAKE OF ECSTASY

"There is a lake of ecstasy that bubbles beneath every shy, ordinary being. What is K's alias Kafka's guilt? Nothing so complex as world guilt or messianic martyrdom, but K's guilt for which he must die is the guilt of betrayal: the guilt of betraying his inner spirit to the safety of mediocrity.

For every action that is not expressed through fear, for every desire that wells up in the breast and is not given vent in action through fear turns into a little rat of guilt that gnaws away at your vitals. For every shout held back, for every venture not ventured on, for every regret in the soul, for every compromise you make and slur you took adds to the sorry storehouse of guilt that screams out for justice. The soul screams out for vengeance, starved as it is in its dark and stinking hovel.

Guilt is the difference between what your spirit sings out for and what your courage permits you to take."

BRACE YOURSELF AND PROCEED

"I discovered that the Way of the Samurai is death. In a fifty-fifty life or death crisis, simply settle it by choosing immediate death. There is nothing complicated about it. Just brace yourself and proceed. Some say that to die without accomplishing one's mission is to die in vain, but this is the calculating, imitation samurai ethic of arrogant Osaka merchants.

To make the correct choice in a fifty-fifty situation is nearly impossible. We would all prefer to live. And so it is quite natural in such a situation that one should find some excuse for living on. But one who chooses to go on living having failed in one's mission will be despised as a coward and a bungler. This is the precarious part. If one dies after having failed, it is a fanatic's death, death in vain. It is not, however, dishonourable.

Such a death is in fact the Way of the Samurai. In order to be a perfect samurai, it is necessary to prepare oneself for death morning and evening day in and day out. When a samurai is constantly prepared for death, he has mastered the Way of the Samurai, and he may unerringly devote his life to the service of his lord."

DON'T WORRY

"Don't worry about how you'll live: "Oh! What are we going to eat?" or: "What are we going to drink?" or: "What are we going to wear?" For even the Gentiles need these and your Father knows what you need.

For isn't life more than just food and clothes? Think of the birds in the air - they don't sow or harvest or gather into barns - yet your heavenly father feeds them, and aren't you greater than them?

Think of the lilies in the fields - how they grow - they don't toil or spin - but even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. So if today's grass, which is to be burnt tomorrow, God dresses like this... won't he do so much more for you, you Little-faiths?

Ask - and it will be given to you; search - and you'll find; knock - and the door will be opened."

Forthcoming Vital Theatre Dates: