What I respect as far as in myself and in others is the spirit of

Hear the voice of Hugh Jackman, not in the roar of battle nor in the applause of the stage, but in the quiet truth of character: “What I respect as far as in myself and in others is the spirit of just doing it. For better or worse, it may work and it may not, but I'm going to go for it. Ultimately I probably prefer to be respected for that than whether it works out or not, either winning or losing.” These words carry the essence of courage—not the courage that always triumphs, but the courage that acts despite uncertainty. For in this world, victory and defeat are fleeting, but the spirit of action is eternal.

The meaning is simple, yet profound. To live is to step into the unknown, to risk failure, to embrace the possibility of loss. Many shrink back, waiting until conditions are perfect, until certainty is guaranteed. But perfection never comes, and certainty is a mirage. Jackman speaks of honoring the one who moves forward anyway, who says, “For better or worse, I will go for it.” Respect is due not to the one who always wins, but to the one who dares greatly, for without daring, no true achievement is born.

History bears witness to this truth. Think of Christopher Columbus, who set sail upon the vast and terrifying Atlantic, not knowing if land awaited him or death. Many mocked him, many feared to join him, yet he dared. Though his voyages were flawed, though his legacy is tangled with triumph and tragedy, one cannot deny the spirit of doing that carried him into the unknown. It was not certainty that made him memorable, but his willingness to risk everything for discovery.

Or recall Thomas Edison, whose thousand attempts to create the light bulb failed before success finally came. He did not fear the sneers of those who saw only defeat. His respect lay not in winning quickly, but in persisting, in the relentless pursuit of possibility. Each failure was a step forward, for he carried within him the truth Jackman proclaims: respect lies not in outcome, but in the will to try. Without that spirit, the darkness of night might still rule our hours.

Jackman’s words also reveal humility. He does not claim that success is unimportant, nor that winning has no value. But he lifts higher the virtue of effort, the noble act of stepping forward when the world says, “Wait.” To him, the true measure of respect is not the trophy, but the attempt. It is in this way that he aligns himself with the wisdom of the ancients, who saw valor not only in the victor, but in the warrior who stood his ground, even if the day was lost.

The lesson, child of tomorrow, is clear: do not let fear of failure chain your spirit. Better to stumble on the path of courage than to sit idle upon the throne of hesitation. Respect yourself for the daring act, not only for its fruits. Respect others who try, even if they fall short, for in their striving lies the seed of greatness. Every invention, every work of art, every transformation in history began with someone who dared to act, not knowing if they would succeed.

To live by this teaching, embrace action in your own life. Speak the words you fear to say, create the work you dream of making, pursue the path that stirs your heart. Do it not for applause, nor for certain victory, but for the honor of having tried. Encourage those around you not only when they succeed, but when they strive with bravery. For a society that honors only winners is blind, but a society that honors effort is wise.

Thus the words of Hugh Jackman endure: respect the spirit of just doing it. Let them be your guide when doubt clouds your heart. For whether you win or lose, the act of daring carves your place in the story of humanity. And in the end, it is not the trophies that inspire future generations, but the flame of courage passed from one soul to another, through the simple and sacred act of trying.