I have never looked upon ease and happiness as ends in themselves – such an ethical basis I call more proper for a herd of swine. The ideals which have lighted me on my way and time after time given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
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
The more wit the less courage.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
True valor lies in the middle, between cowardice and rashness.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Lean into the sharp points and fully experience them. The essence of bravery is being without self-deception. Wisdom is inherent in (understanding) emotions.
—Pema Chodron (b.1936) American Buddhist Nun
No fact of human nature is more characteristic that its willingness to live on a chance.
—Unknown
He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
It takes vision and courage to create; it takes faith and courage to prove.
—Owen D. Young (1874–1962) American Businessperson, Lawyer, Diplomat
Courage consists not in blindly overlooking danger, but in seeing it, and conquering it.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
I never thought much of the courage of a lion tamer. Inside the cage he is at least safe from people.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
No matter how carefully you plan your goals they will never be more than pipe dreams unless you pursue them with gusto.
—W. Clement Stone (1902–2002) American Self-help Guru, Entrepreneur
Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.
—Thomas S. Monson (b.1927) American Mormon Religious Leader
Often the test of courage is not to die, but to live.
—Vittorio Alfieri (1749–1803) Italian Poet, Dramatist
They are surely to be esteemed the bravest spirits who, having the clearest sense of both the pains and pleasures of life, do not on that account shrink from danger.
—Thucydides (c.455?c.400 BCE) Greek Historian
This is the test of your manhood: How much is there left in you after you have lost everything outside of yourself?
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts in the hour of danger.
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845) American Head of State
To do anything truly worth doing, I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
Have the courage of your desire.
—George Gissing (1857–1903) English Novelist
You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
True courage is a result of reasoning. A brave mind is always impregnable.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
‘I will have no man in my boat,’ said Starbuck, ‘who is not afraid of a whale.’ By this, he seemed to mean not only that the most reliable and useful courage was that which arises from the fair estimation of the encountered peril, but that an utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward.
—Herman Melville (1819–91) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist, Poet
The best hearts are ever the bravest.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
But screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Love of fame, fear of disgrace, schemes for advancement; desire to make life comfortable and pleasant, and the urge to humiliate others are often at the root of the valor that men hold in such high esteem.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
We must constantly build dykes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
It takes courage to attempt the impossible. What would we think of Moses today if when it was time to part the red sea, he had said Why don’t you guys go build a bridge?
—Indian Proverb
There’s no substitute for guts.
—Bear Bryant (1913–83) American Sportsperson
The courage we desire and prize is not the courage to die decently, but to live manfully.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
True courage is cool and calm.—The bravest of men have the least of a brutal, bullying insolence, and in the very time of danger are found the most serene and free.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
The brave person thinks of themselves last of all.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist