For Those Who Fail by Joaquin Miller

Published: March 10, 2008, 8:31 a.m.

For Those Who Fail\nby Joaquin Miller (1841? \u2013 1913)\n\n"All honor to him who shall win the prize," \nThe world has cried for a thousand years; \nBut to him who tries and who fails and dies, \nI give great honor and glory and tears. \n\nO great is the hero who wins a name, \nBut greater many and many a time, \nSome pale-faced fellow who dies in shame, \nAnd lets God finish the thought sublime. \n\nAnd great is the man with a sword undrawn, \nAnd good is the man who refrains from wine; \nBut the man who fails and yet fights on, \nLo! he is the twin-born brother of mine!