Personal Interests:
In addition to my business pursuits, I have a strong interest in fine arts. I draw inspiration for my personal life from poems and speeches by great writers and speakers. My favorite texts include Horatius at the Bridge, Indecision, and Man in the Arena, which are listed below. Another area of particular interest is paintings, specifically oil paintings. Below you will find a gallery of my favorite paintings, from both American and Russian painters, which I have viewed in person frequently. The gallery contains additional commentary for each painting.
Inspirational Poems and Speeches
Horatius at the Bridge
Then stepped forward Horatius, the Captain of the gate. He said, 'To every man of woman born death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better than facing fearful odds For the ashes of his fathers and the temples of his gods? ... Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, with all the speed ye may. I would, with but two beside me, will hold the foe in play. On yon narrow span 1,000 might well be stopped by three. Now, who will stand on either hand and guard the bridge with me?
Indecision
While great Caesar lay yet dying Brutus has a chance for glory Had the future lain before him His would be a different story
At the feet of Hannibal Like a ripe plum Rome once Lay Off he put the time of Conquest To a later, better day
Hamlets course was lain before him All he had to do was act But he lacked the inner courage To make his deep convictions fact
Shortly after first Manassas Fate knocked at the door of Lee But he failed to take advantage Or a different country this may be
Many times throughout the ages Like as not the chance appears But because of indecision Man’s fond hopes are drown in tears.
Man in the Arena
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, who comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;
but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions;
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 fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those cold and
timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
