Miley Cyrus tattoo has Teddy Roosevelt's words
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the Australians In Film Awards & Benefit Dinner in Century City, Calif. (June 27, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
Miley Cyrus has acquired a new tattoo bearing a quotation from one of Long Island's favorite sons, Theodore Roosevelt.
The lengthy, left-forearm tattoo -- reading "So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat" -- is from the "Man in the Arena" passage of the 26th president's 1910 "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, said Terry Brown, executive director of the Oyster Bay-based Theodore Roosevelt Association.
"Any popular public figure who in a civilized way continues the understanding that a man named Theodore Roosevelt once existed is all good," said Brown, who was familiar with Cyrus, 19, through his two children in their 20s. "I'm happy it wasn't on her keister," he added, laughing.
While he was born in Manhattan, Roosevelt lived at Sagamore Hill, his estate in the village of Cove Neck, from 1885 until his death in 1919.
The 35-page speech was given at the Sorbonne in Paris on April 23, 1910, a year after Roosevelt left the presidency. The passage is a favorite of athletes, including Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd, who came to spring training this year with his right forearm tattooed with excerpts from it. Richard Nixon referenced it during his 1974 resignation speech, while Nelson Mandela used it to inspire the South African rugby team to beat New Zealand at the 1995 World Cup.
Cyrus' spokeswoman did not return requests for comment.
