There’s an old saying that goes, “Don’t mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it. If it is unfair, keep from irritation. If it is ignorant, smile. If it is justified, learn from it.”

Another bit of wisdom says, “Any fool can criticize, complain and condemn—and most fools do.”

It seems that no matter how important or successful an endeavor, there are people who thrive on criticizing the efforts and accomplishments of others. In the ancient book of Proverbs these kinds of people are called scoffers.

When confronted with a scoffer in your life, remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

You will experience victory and defeat in your life. Don’t let scoffers keep you from victory.