we must press on, however, toward a goal not only of more and better jobs but of full opportunity for every american, and of what we are striving so hard right now to achieve -- prosperity without inflation.
for more than a quarter of a century in public life, i have shared in the turbulent history of this evening. i have fought for what i believe in. i have tried, to the best of my ability, to discharge those duties and meet those responsibilities that were entrusted to me. sometimes i have succeeded. and sometimes i have failed. but always i have taken heart from what theodore roosevelt once said about the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again because there is not effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deed, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of high achievements and with the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
i pledge to you tonight that as long as i have a breath of life in my body, i shall continue in that spirit. i shall continue to work for the great causes to which i have been dedicated throughout my years as a congressman, a senator, vice president and president, the cause of peace -- not just for america but among all nations -- prosperity, justice and opportunity for all of our people.
there is one cause above all to which i have been devoted and to which i shall always be devoted for as long as i live.
when i first took the oath of office as president five and a half years ago, i made this sacred commitment: to consecrate my office, my energies, and all the wisdom i can summon to the cause of pea