The human race afraid of nothing, rushes on through every crime.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
I’m very brave generally, he went on in a low voice: only today I happen to have a headache.
—Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) (1832–98) British Anglican Author, Mathematician, Clergyman, Photographer, Logician
Genius is an infinite capacity for taking life by the scruff of the neck.
—Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) American Actor, TV Personality
Why should we honor those that die upon the field of battle? A man may show as reckless a courage in entering into the abyss of himself.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
To him that waits all things reveal themselves, provided that he has the courage not to deny, in the darkness, what he has seen in the light.
—Coventry Patmore (1823–96) English Poet, Critic
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
God helps the brave.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Happy the man who ventures boldly to defend what he holds dear.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Courage can’t see around corners, but goes around them anyway.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Courage consists not in hazarding without fear, but being resolutely minded in a just cause.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.
—Nicholas Murray Butler (1862–1947) American Philosopher, Diplomat, Educator
Courageous people are still afraid, but they don’t let the fear paralyze them.
—Steve Pavlina (b.1971) American Motivational Speaker
Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured and far away. It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an oak.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
You’re only as sick as your secrets.
—Unknown
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 great virtue in life is real courage that knows how to face facts and live beyond them.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he who loses his courage loses all.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Keep courage. Whatever you do, do not feel sorry for yourself. You will win in a great age of opportunity.
—Richard L. Evans (1906–71) American Mormon Religions Leader
Among wellborn spirits courage does not depend on age.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut.
—Channing Pollock (1880–1946)
American Playwright, Critic
The last thing a woman will consent to discover in a man whom she loves, or on whom she simply depends, is want of courage.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
Nothing is too high for the daring of mortals: we storm heaven itself in our folly.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Because of a great love, one is courageous.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
It is an error to suppose that courage means courage in everything. Most people are brave only in the dangers to which they accustom themselves, either in imagination or practice.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Don’t wait for moods. You’ll accomplish nothing.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
To see what is right, and not do it, is want of courage, or of principle.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
The guts carry the feet, not the feet the guts.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
To fight fear, act. To increase fear—wait, put off, postpone.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian