True valor lies in the middle, between cowardice and rashness.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
The world’s male chivalry has perished out, but women are knights-errant to the last; and, if Cervantes had been greater still, he had made his Don a Donna.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–61) English Poet
Gallantry to women—the sure road to their favor—is nothing but the appearance of extreme devotion to all their wants and wishes, a delight in their satisfaction, and a confidence in yourself as being able to contribute toward it.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
The brave and bold persist even against fortune; the timid and cowardly rush to despair though fear alone.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
If you stand up to be counted, someone will take your seat.
—Unknown
When valor preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
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
You are under the unfortunate delusion that simply because you run away from danger, you have no courage. You’re confusing courage with wisdom.
—Unknown
Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you’re scared to death.
—Earl Wilson (1907–87) American Broadway Gossip Columnist
Don’t foul, don’t flinch—hit the line hard.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
It takes a certain courage and a certain greatness to be truly base.
—Jean Anouilh (1910–87) French Dramatist
Boldness is a mask for fear, however great.
—Lucan (Marcus Annaeus Lucanus) (39–65 CE) Roman Poet
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
I would define true courage to be a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it.
—William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–91) American Military Leader, Businessperson, Educator
The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly.
—Corra Mae Harris (1869–1935) American War Correspondent, Novelist
We can never be certain of our courage until we have faced danger.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
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
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
It takes guts to get out of the ruts.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
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
I do not like heroes; they make too much noise in the world. The more radiant their glory, the more odious they are.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man. It is more powerful than external circumstances.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
At the bottom of not a little of the bravery that appears in the world, there lurks a miserable cowardice. Men will face powder and steel because they have not the courage to face public opinion.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
Be larger than your task.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
Courage follows action.
—Mack R. Douglas
Last, but by no means least, courage-moral courage, the courage of one’s convictions, the courage to see things through. The world ;is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle-the roar of the crowd on one side and the voice of your ;conscience on the other.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
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