Courage consists of the power of self-recovery.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
—Unknown
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices, have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Only those are fit to live who are not afraid to die.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
Audacity, audacity-always audacity.
—Frederick II of Prussia (1712–86) Prussian Monarch
Without belittling the courage with which men have died, we should not forget those acts of courage with which men … have lived. The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does what he must—in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures—and that is the basis of all human morality…. In whatever arena of life one may meet the challenge of courage, whatever may be the sacrifices he faces if he follows his conscience—the loss of his friends, his fortune, his contentment, even the esteem of his fellow men—each man must decide for himself the course he will follow. The stories of past courage can define that ingredient—they can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each man must look into his own soul.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
He who is afraid of every nettle should not piss in the grass.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
One who lacks courage to start has already finished
—Indian Proverb
A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place.
—Paulo Coelho (b.1947) Brazilian Songwriter, Novelist
“Come to the edge,” he said. They said, “We are afraid.” “Come to the edge,” he said. They came. He pushed them … and they flew!.
—Guillaume Apollinaire (1880–1918) Italian-born French Poet, Playwright
Don’t let your throat tighten with fear. Take sips of breath all day and night, before death closes your mouth.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
No one reaches a high position without daring.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Courage is generosity of the highest order, for the brave are prodigal of the most precious things.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The first rule (to Peace of Mind, Serenity) is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
If you knew how cowardly your enemy is, you would slap him. Bravery is knowledge of the cowardice in the enemy.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophists, economists and calculators has succeeded; and the glory of Europe is gone forever.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
A brave arm makes a short sword long.
—Unknown
Never ask the Gods for life set free from grief, but ask for courage that endureth long.
—Menander (c.343–c.291 BCE) Greek Comic Dramatist, Poet
The bravest are the tenderest. The loving are the daring.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Many become brave when brought to bag.
—Norwegian Proverb
Nothing gives a fearful man more courage than another’s fear.
—Umberto Eco (1932–2016) Italian Novelist
Courage is a kind of salvation.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.
—Harper Lee (1926–2016) American Novelist
Courage is to feel the daily daggers of relentless steel and keep on living.
—Douglas Malloch (1877–1938) American Poet, Short-story Writer
Moral courage is a virtue of higher cast and nobler origin than physical. It springs from a consciousness of virtue, and renders a man, in the pursuit or defence of right, superior to the fear of reproach, opposition, or contempt.
—Samuel Griswold Goodrich (1793–1860) American Publisher, Writer
If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold you head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, “I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.”
—Ask Ann Landers (1918–2002) American Advice Columnist
All brave men love; for he only is brave who has affections to fight for, whether in the daily battle of life, or in physical contests.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
Courage which goes against military expediency is stupidity, or, if it is insisted upon by a commander, irresponsibility.
—Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) German Soldier
Women and men of retiring timidity are cowardly only in dangers which affect themselves, but are the first to rescue when others are endangered.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
An excuse is a lie guarded.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Is he alone who has courage on his right hand and faith on his left hand?
—Charles Lindbergh (1902–74) American Aviator, Inventor, Conservationist
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
It is easy enough to be pleasant, When life flows by like a song. But the man worthwhile is the one who can smile, when everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is troubled, And it always comes with the years. And the smiles that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through tears.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
A man of courage is also full of faith.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Oh Lord, thou givest us everything, at the price of an effort.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
I’ve been through it all, baby. I’m Mother Courage.
—Elizabeth Taylor (b.1932) English Actor, Activist
It requires courage not to surrender oneself to the ingenious or compassionate counsels of despair that would induce a man to eliminate himself from the ranks of the living; but it does not follow from this that every huckster who is fattened and nourished in self-confidence has more courage than the man who yielded to despair.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
Someday, in the moment of death, your whole life will pass before you. In a few fractions of a second—because time no longer applies—you will see many incidents from your life in order to learn. You will review your life with two questions in your consciousness: Could I have shown a little more courage in these moments? Could I have shown a little more love? You will see where you let fear stop you from expressing who you are, how you feel, or what you need. You will see whether you were able to expand into these moments, just a little, to show love, or whether you contracted.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
Courage can’t see around corners, but goes around them anyway.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.
—Paulo Coelho (b.1947) Brazilian Songwriter, Novelist
Live as brave men and face adversity with stout hearts.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
Courage follows action.
—Mack R. Douglas
Courage and conviction are powerful weapons against an enemy who depends only on fists or guns. Animals know when you are afraid; a coward knows when you are not.
—David Seabury (1885–1960) American Psychologist
You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.
—William Watson Purkey (b.1929) American Educationalist