It is said of untrue valors, that some men’s valors are in the eyes of them that look on.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
I love the man that is modestly valiant, that stirs not till he most needs, and then to purpose.—A continued patience I commend not.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Valor is of no service, chance rules all, and the bravest often fall by the hands of cowards.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
Valor gives awe, and promises protection to those who want heart or strength to defend themselves. This makes the authority of men among women, and that of a master buck in a numerous herd.
—William Temple (1881–1944) English Theologian, Archbishop
True valor, on virtue founded strong, meets all events alike.
—David Mallet (c.1705–1765) Scottish Poet, Dramatist
There is no love-broker in the world can more prevail in man’s commendation with woman, than report of valor.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Fear to do base and unworthy things is valor; if they be done to us, to suffer them is also valor.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
The estimate and valor of a man consists in the heart and in the will; there his true honor lies. Valor is stability, not of arms and legs, but of courage and the soul; it does not lie in the valor of our horse, nor of our arms, but in ourselves. He that falls obstinate in his courage, if his legs fail him, fights upon his knees.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Valor hath its bound, as well as other virtues, which once transgressed, the next step is into the territories of vice, so that, by having too large a proportion of this heroic virtue, unless a man be very perfect in its limits, which, on the confines, are very hard to discern, he may, unawares, run into temerity, obstinacy, and folly.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
The mean of true valor lies between the extremes of cowardice and rashness.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Valor employ’d in an ill quarrel, turns to cowardice; and virtue then puts on foul vice’s vizor.
—Philip Massinger (1583–1640) English Playwright
Distressed valor challenges great respect, even from an enemy.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
The truly valiant dare everything except doing any other body an injury.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Go on and increase in valor for this is the path to immortality.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
The love of glory, the fear of shame, the design of making a fortune, the desire of rendering life easier and agreeable, and the humor of pulling down other people are often the causes of that valor so celebrated among men.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Those who believe that the praises which arise from valor are superior to those which proceed from any other virtues have not considered.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
True valor lies between cowardice and rashness.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
The better part of valor is discretion, in the which better part I have saved my life.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
When valor preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
There is always safety in valor.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The valor that struggles is better than the weakness that endures.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
Perfect Valor is to do, without a witness, all that we could do before the whole world.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Valor consists in the power of self recovery.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
No man can answer for his own valor or courage, till he has been in danger.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
It is a brave act of valor to contemn death; but where life is more terrible than death it is then the truest valor to dare to live.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
There is no official coronation ceremony held to declare lion the king of jungle. He becomes king by his own attributes and heroic actions.
—Subhashita Manjari Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs
If thou desire to be truly valiant, fear to do any injury; he that fears to do evil is always afraid to suffer evil; he that never fears is desperate; he that fears always is a coward: he is the true valiant man that dares nothing but what he may, and fears nothing but what he ought.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
How strangely high endeavors may be blessed, where piety and valor jointly go.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Whatever comes out of despair cannot bear the title of valor, which should be lifted up to such a height, that holding all things under itself, it should be able to maintain its greatness, even in the midst of miseries.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Leave a Reply