The Gladiator

The man who goes on until he can go no further, who reaches the limit of human endurance, and then holds on another minute,

has reached the minute that counts.

 

It is that last minute, the other side of breaking point which marks THE GLADIATOR.  You can find that last minute in the hundredth man, in the soldier who exclaimed before battle:

"If I fall, I'll fight on my knees."

 

Of all human qualities that have lit up the somberness of this tragic earth, I count this, of being a GLADIATOR, the happiest.

 

It has saved more souls than penance and punishment; it has rescued more business enterprises than shrewdness; it has won more battles and more games, and has altogether claimed more victories during trying times than any other virtue.

 

Most people are quitters.  They reach the limit.  They are familiar with the last straw.  But the hundredth man is a GLADIATOR.  You cannot corner him.  He will not give up.  Don't try to drown him, he won't sink.  He cannot find the word "fail" in his vocabulary.  He has never learned to whine.

 

What shall we do with him?  We shall encourage, empower, equip, and inspire him to reach his highest potential!  Then we shall watch as he engages the world with strength of character and faith, not only obtaining success but inspiring others to do the same.