Courage
Outline · 2 ›
1.The nature and definition of courage
The Bhagavad-Gita; or, Song CelestialVol. 45
- p. 860–861Fearlessness and fortitude are named among the signs of the heavenly-born.read · scan
1a.Courage as mastery of fear and a just estimate of danger
See also: Emotion 5a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 52–53Menelaus praises Odysseus's heart in the wooden horse, restraining the men from answering Helen's mimicked voices.read · scan
- p. 90–91Athene's counsel that the dauntless man is best is implied as she urges him on through a hostile city.read · scan
- p. 91Athene tells Odysseus to fear not, for the dauntless man is best in every adventure even in a strange land.read · scan
- p. 122Odysseus restrains his impulse to stab the Cyclops, reasoning that they could not move the stone and would perish.read · scan
- p. 165Circe rebukes Odysseus' urge to fight Scylla: against an immortal plague flight is the bravest way.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 9To see the right and not do it is want of courage.read · scan
- p. 46Willingness to risk life in face of danger marks the full man.read · scan
- p. 48–49Courage is being without fear.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 24–25The fox's fear of the lion wears off through familiarity.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 26Courage feels pain at cowardice, like other virtues that involve anxiety.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old AgeVol. 9
- p. 70–71Old age is more confident than youth, as in Solon's answer to Pisistratus.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 117Bold against Greek spears, Aeneas now fears every shadow, not for himself but for those he carries.read · scan
- p. 152Dido argues that fear marks a degenerate kind, and that Aeneas's bravery proves his birth.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 148Romans' word for virtue equals manly courage; Marcius trains his body and fights bravely in his first battle, saving a citizen.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 309Caesar refuses a guard, saying it is better to die once than always fear death.read · scan
- p. 316–317Cassius, an Epicurean, is carried out of his reasonings into inspiration at the moment of danger.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 284Elder Pliny sails toward the danger with calmness, saying 'Fortune favours the brave,' to rescue others.read · scan
- p. 284He calms frightened Pomponianus with feigned cheerfulness, bathes, sups and sleeps soundly in the midst of the eruption.read · scan
- p. 288Pliny questions whether his calm reading of Livy during the earthquake was courage or folly, while a panicked crowd presses on.read · scan
- p. 288Pliny calmly directs escape from the road to avoid being trampled in the dark.read · scan
- p. 311Athenodorus stays calm, keeps writing and follows the spectre unafraid.read · scan
- p. 319–325He rejects the view that an unfeeling temper shows superior fortitude and philosophy.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 305The party flees in terror at the sight, then the sheykh overcomes fear to question him.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 295–296Sigurd says a stout heart is better than a sharp sword when men meet foes.read · scan
- p. 306–307He never lost heart and feared nothing.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 8–9Doubting his strength, Dante is comforted by Virgil and takes courage to follow.read · scan
- p. 9Dante doubts his fitness for the journey; Virgil says vile fear makes men recoil from noble resolution like a beast at shadows.read · scan
- p. 9–12Virgil rebukes Dante's fear; assured of heavenly aid, his fainting vigor revives like flowers at day.read · scan
- p. 13Virgil bids him leave fear behind; one shade abjured his high estate through base fear.read · scan
- p. 32Dante's fear at closed gates and Virgil's assurance of hope.read · scan
- p. 32Virgil, though refused entry, shows resolve to vanquish and announces a heavenly helper.read · scan
- p. 36Dante's coward dread and Virgil's halting assurance as they wait for promised aid.read · scan
- p. 49Virgil confronts the Minotaur fearlessly and bids Dante hurry past while it storms.read · scan
- p. 85–87Virgil's terror-proof bearing contrasts with Dante's fear as the fiends approach with hooks.read · scan
- p. 128–130Dante's dread of death at Ephialtes' shaking and reliance on Virgil's guidance.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 246Dante fears the flames on one side and the fall on the other along the narrow ledge.read · scan
- p. 254Dante freezes in terror before the fire, and Virgil urges him to lay fear aside and trust.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 21The difficulties of such new princes lie on the road and may be overcome by courage.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 142Cellini refuses to draw on Pompeo's armed band, risking only himself, and shows forbearance born of bravery.read · scan
- p. 337Cellini keeps his head, wraps his mantle around him, and helps the panicking Lionardo, saying Jesus helps those who help themselves.read · scan
- p. 380He overcomes fever and fear of death through his energy in the crisis.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 160–161Don Quixote rides toward the noise resigned to death, hiding any weakness at Sancho's tears.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 677The lady insists Philaster does not know what fear is; the court praises his boldness.read · scan
- p. 679Philaster says no enemy's look or speech has daunted him, yet he fears a beloved lady's sweet voice.read · scan
- p. 710Philaster recalls facing mischiefs and danger as stern as death, yet sinks under a woman's supposed falsehood.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 764–767She likens her venture to soldiers achieving impossible feats by facing danger.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 339–340Aversion joined with hope of avoiding hurt by resistance is courage; sudden courage is anger.read · scan
- p. 340–342Magnanimity in danger of death or wounds is valour or fortitude; pusillanimity its opposite.read · scan
- p. 365–366Courage, magnanimity and confidence are honourable as proceeding from consciousness of power; fear is dishonourable.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 295Contemning death is valor, but daring to live when life is worse is truest valor; Job surpasses the Roman heroes.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 77Nearchus asks whether courage proved in arms will bow to a woman's dream.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 79–80To fear death when not in danger, one must be a man.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 27–28Dryden defends Aeneas's apparent fear as reasonable fear of an accursed drowning death.read · scan
- p. 28–29Dryden says he has justified the hero's courage.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 95Fool-hardiness and timidity are both unreasonable; courage requires a just estimate of danger.read · scan
- p. 96–97True fortitude is quiet self-possession and doing one's duty amid any danger, not merely battlefield bravery.read · scan
- p. 100–101Courage of a rational creature means not being deterred from duty by danger, gained by custom and use.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 228–229Marlow and Miss Hardcastle discuss how a want of courage on occasion betrays one; his bashfulness cripples him before her.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 211He denies fear; one may brave death when useful, but not endure futile torment amid crime.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 287–288Egmont holds no danger is too great to meet with courage; Orange says wisdom and courage prompt meeting inevitable evil.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 394–395Tell will rescue the lost sheep and not fail once action is resolved, though he avoids council.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 655–656The happy Warrior turns fear and pain to gain, faithful and unshaken in danger.read · scan
- p. 656–658The warrior is equal to any call, undismayed by danger, persevering to the last.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 72–73The innocent seldom face the wicked with undaunted confidence; Cristoforo stands timid before Rodrigo despite a good conscience.read · scan
- p. 88–89Agnese asks whether they have the courage and dexterity for her plan.read · scan
- p. 108The old servant, knowing the danger, still risks going to warn Father Cristoforo.read · scan
- p. 259Renzo overcomes his fear and repugnance to pass the guarded gate, walking calmly with heart pounding, to escape Milan.read · scan
- p. 549–550Renzo defies Don Abbondio's warnings and dangers, resolved to stay and seek Lucia while the priest urges retreat.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 138–139The prince says he is not afraid and ignores warnings, though many earlier princes died in the thorns.read · scan
- p. 182The scholar answers the terrible spirit's threat fearlessly.read · scan
- p. 185The soldier is brave in battle and shoots a bear unafraid; the Devil tests his fearlessness.read · scan
George Long, The Philosophy of AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 344–345Fortitude defined as enduring labour and pain.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American ScholarVol. 5
- p. 17The scholar must be brave; fear springs from ignorance and is conquered by facing and understanding it rather than evading it.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 100The brave man is greater than the coward, more a man by the presence of the soul.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 350–351Attachment to horse arises from courage and address needed to manage it; horse detects fear.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1251The timid fear foes and bemoan ills to come; the wise are not so.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 350–351He faces the monstrous dogs with jaunty coolness.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 83The guide's cool, resourceful escape from pursuing Indians despite wounds.read · scan
- p. 85The guide's coolness and careful plan under supposed Indian danger contrast with Darwin's alarm.read · scan
- p. 157–158Gauchos' coolness and fearlessness when the horse rears and falls.read · scan
- p. 337Darwin finds the reputed dangers of Cordillera passes exaggerated; the real danger is nothing, though rivers may be hazardous.read · scan
- p. 346–347Even men of great command of mind show fear; indifference to danger is expected to be shown by rising.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 34–35Even a fall from aloft must not be treated as serious.read · scan
- p. 50–51Sailor swings aloft risking a fall yet never thinks of the danger.read · scan
- p. 138–139No one knows what he can do until called upon; Dana later descended the cliff by halyards to save hides.read · scan
- p. 153Dogs fear the rattle, but the Kanakas show no fear and attack the snake with sticks.read · scan
- p. 332Sailors make light of danger, keeping escapes to themselves or joking about them.read · scan
- p. 336Sailors sleep despite risk of lightning or hurricane; a sailor must sleep when he turns in.read · scan
Henry David Thoreau, WalkingVol. 28
- p. 397–398Sitting cheerfully indoors at three in the afternoon takes more courage than Bonaparte's three-o'clock-in-the-morning courage.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 361–362Writer overcomes sickening dread of another battle day, declaring readiness to do and die for the Republic.read · scan
- p. 378Brave men may turn pale before overwhelming numbers yet stand steady, veterans waiting silently in place.read · scan
1b.Courage joined to wisdom, right and justice
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 24–25Without courtesy courage becomes unruliness.read · scan
- p. 44–45Courage is akin to love.read · scan
- p. 58Love of courage without learning sinks into turbulence.read · scan
- p. 60Courage without a sense of right makes rebels of the great and robbers of the poor.read · scan
- p. 63The scholar who stakes his life in danger, remembers right at gain, is reverent at worship and sad in mourning may pass muster.read · scan
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 57–58Courage severed from wisdom is a mere shadow of virtue.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 291Mildness and gentleness are manly and possess strength, nerves and courage, not fits of passion.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 92–93Quixote resolves to offer his arm to the most dangerous adventures in aid of the weak and needy.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 349–350Macbeth admires Banquo's dauntless temper and valour guided by wisdom, and fears it.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 911Lovell, a soldier undaunted in battle, still sweats cold at Overreach's blasphemy.read · scan
- p. 933–938Overreach challenges Lovell to a duel; Wellborn contrasts true valour with daring in ill.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 404–405The relish of justice is a nobleness or gallantness of courage scorning fraud or breach of promise.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 57The Elder Brother vows to fight the magician; the Spirit loves his bold emprise but says the sword is useless.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 119Epaminondas's great valour is admirable only when joined with equal kindness.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 24–25Valor without other virtues earns no true esteem; Aeneas has heroic courage, second champion of Troy after Hector.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 72Courage in an ill-bred man appears as brutality; good breeding is needed to polish courage and other virtues so they are acceptable.read · scan
Friedrich von Schiller, Letters upon the Aesthetic Education of ManVol. 32
- p. 229–230Instruction demands a spirited courage to overcome nature's indolence and the heart's cowardice.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 481His former courage in offence now shows in abstaining from arms; he walks unarmed and without fear.read · scan
- p. 484–485He heads the garrison entirely unarmed, refusing his own famous weapons.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 377–378Rude Roman conquerors were brave but ignorant and cruel; refined Greeks lacked courage and sincerity.read · scan
1c.Rashness, boldness and bravado as counterfeits
See also: Chivalry 7b
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 140–141Eurylochus calls the venture reckless, blaming the Cyclops disaster on Odysseus's blindness of heart; Odysseus is tempted to kill him.read · scan
- p. 191The false Cretan boasts of boldness given by Ares and Athene, leaping foremost in ambush and war.read · scan
- p. 245–246Irus boasts of his mettle in fight, while Odysseus warns him with calm menace.read · scan
- p. 252–253Odysseus boasts of his enduring stamina and threatens the maid, scaring the women.read · scan
- p. 254–255Odysseus boasts of prowess in field and battle against the wooers' arrogance.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 14Tzu-lu is more venturesome than the Master but lacks judgement.read · scan
- p. 21–22Rash bravery in attacking a tiger unarmed is rejected.read · scan
- p. 36Tzu-lu boasts he could instill courage and purpose in a beleaguered state.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 18The kid is bold only because he is safe; the wolf dismisses his abuse.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 107He lay before a loaded cart to make the driver stop, terrifying onlookers.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 114–116Bagdemagus dares to bear the perilous shield, knowing he is not the best knight in the world.read · scan
- p. 116–118Bagdemagus is wounded for presuming to bear a shield meant only for the peerless knight Galahad.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 81–82Audacity and hardihood are praised over timidity in dealing with Fortune.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 28He claims not to know the colour of fear and ignores his rivals' threats.read · scan
- p. 92–93Asked if he dares attempt coin dies, he says he lacks no courage though he has never made any.read · scan
- p. 127Priest says a stout, steadfast soul is needed; Cellini claims plenty.read · scan
- p. 214–215Cellini boasts of seeking the hardest feats and having the heart to try flying.read · scan
- p. 299Cellini boasts of his spirit in facing down the lodger who claimed no Italian dared touch his house.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 164John Drake boards a well-armed frigate with poor weapons rather than be thought a coward, and is fatally wounded.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 32Assailed by stones, Quixote stands his ground, refusing to abandon his arms and terrifying his attackers with boldness.read · scan
- p. 58–60Quixote charges alone against 'giants' and taunts Sancho to pray if afraid.read · scan
- p. 60Undeterred by his fall, he insists his sword will prevail over bad arts.read · scan
- p. 73Quixote boasts of unmatched valor in histories; Sancho grants he never served a bolder master.read · scan
- p. 110Don Quixote rashly boasts he is worth a hundred and attacks twenty carriers; his courage proves unavailing.read · scan
- p. 111He boasts of his invincible arm despite his defeat.read · scan
- p. 138Quixote charges the flock with fury and courage, believing they are mortal enemies.read · scan
- p. 139Quixote ignores the shepherds' stones and challenges the imagined enemy single-handed, until he is felled.read · scan
- p. 144–145Quixote bids Sancho be of good courage and promises to show his valour against supposed ghosts, while Sancho trembles.read · scan
- p. 145Sancho is overthrown by terror while Quixote plants himself in the road to challenge the procession.read · scan
- p. 145–147Quixote puts a frightened, unarmed company to flight; Sancho admires his master's boldness.read · scan
- p. 152Don Quixote's valiant heart leaps to face the fearful noise that would terrify others.read · scan
- p. 153Don Quixote embraces the fearful adventure, seeing terror as a spur to his valiant heart and desire for great deeds.read · scan
- p. 159Rozinante, not naturally courageous, rejoices to move, taken by Don Quixote as an omen to attempt the adventure.read · scan
- p. 161Quixote insists he has shown resolution enough to face any dangerous adventure, even when the fearful noise proves harmless.read · scan
- p. 183Quixote awaits the whole guard calmly while Sancho grows fearful of the Holy Brotherhood.read · scan
- p. 193Sancho's fear holds him to his master's side; Quixote promises his valour will never fail.read · scan
- p. 368Don Quixote boasts that no peril is so great that his sword will not open a way through it for the princess.read · scan
- p. 380No danger can affright him; he seeks greater dangers than earlier knights faced.read · scan
- p. 430Don Quixote volunteers to guard the castle against giants and miscreants, comically.read · scan
- p. 456–457He claims a knight alone can beat four hundred troopers with a cudgel.read · scan
- p. 458–461Quixote boasts neither heaven nor hell created a man who could make him a coward, and scorns fear.read · scan
- p. 492The knight plunges into the boiling lake, commending himself to God and his lady, heedless of danger.read · scan
- p. 506–507Quixote charges alone at the procession, deaf to the pleas of his squire, claiming to prove the worth of knights-errant.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 28–31Boldness is a child of ignorance and baseness that fascinates the shallow and weak, yet is ridiculous and breaks promises.read · scan
- p. 31–32Boldness is blind to dangers: bad in counsel, good in execution; bold men should be seconds, not commanders.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 358–360Macbeth claims to dare whatever man dares, any beast's shape, but not the ghost; once gone he is a man again.read · scan
- p. 384–385Macbeth boasts he will not fear, trusting the prophecy, and scorns his servant's pale cowardice.read · scan
- p. 385–387Macbeth arms himself, will fight to the bone, and hangs those who talk of fear, resting on the prophecy.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 371–372Vain-glorious men are inclined to ostentation and retreat when danger appears.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 57–62The brother is told to rush on Comus with dauntless hardihood; enemies retire if he does not shrink.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 59–60Men would willingly be cowards to acquire the reputation of being brave.read · scan
- p. 74Bravado before God is dastardly.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 131–132Debate whether Little-faith should have resisted the thieves; the fray is terrible and men boast falsely of courageread · scan
- p. 132–133Even champions like David, Heman, Hezekiah and Peter were badly handled by the rogues; Peter feared a girlread · scan
- p. 133–134Christian warns against vaunting manhood; Peter swaggered and was foiled; men should not seek enemiesread · scan
- p. 134–135Christian cannot boast of his manhood; hopes God will deliver from the next Philistineread · scan
- p. 262–264Some vaunt what they will do if opposed yet flee at a false alarm; Great-heart stands ready against the robbers.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 345–346Skill in danger is virtue, but courting danger to show it is weakness.read · scan
Jonathan Swift, A Letter of Advice to a Young PoetVol. 27
- p. 116Compares a poet's slashing satire to a bully's first killing as proof of courage.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 325–326Minna dislikes soldiers complaining or coldly boasting of bravery and misfortune.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 365–366Proverb that success is alone to the valiant urges them to venture at once.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 40–42Barleycorn's blood is said to make a man's courage rise; he is called a hero bold.read · scan
- p. 222–224The bully's courage is nothing; the valiant man weeps like a coward for his dependants.read · scan
- p. 390–391Whisky makes Tam scorn dangers and face the devil, careless of storm and witches.read · scan
Walt Whitman, Preface to Leaves of GrassVol. 39
- p. 404–406The young man who perilled his life did well; the one who never risked anything achieved nothing.read · scan
1d.Courage grounded in fear of greater evils or in despair
Plato, PhaedoVol. 2
- p. 56–57Ordinary men are courageous only from fear of greater evils, a strange courage that is cowardice.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 109–111Aeneas urges his band to fall amid their foes; despair of life becomes the means of fighting on.read · scan
- p. 305Helenor, embolden'd by despair, stands at bay like a stag and charges his foes resolved on death.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 16–17Necessity and rage provoke the commanders to fight.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 85Aristides runs the enemy fleet to reach Themistocles; necessity forces the Greeks to approve themselves men of courage.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 253–254Men blind the sleeping ogre with red-hot spits and flee on rafts, preferring risk of drowning to being roasted.read · scan
- p. 431–432A robber volunteers for a mission on pain of death.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 215Cowards are placed among bold men and cannot flee; necessity turns cowardice into prowess.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 244Lovers resolve on desperate action, dagger and sword, to resist the forced marriage.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 184Hamlet boards the pirate ship in a 'compelled valour' during the grappleread · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 832Antonio resolves to risk his life visiting the Cardinal, since it is better to fall once than be ever falling.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 108Moloch's fierce spirit, fearless through despair, scorns God and Hell.read · scan
- p. 108Moloch's courage grounded in despair; he dismisses fear since nothing can be worse than present torment.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 336–337Lucia, invigorated by fear, kneels and boldly demands why she suffers.read · scan
- p. 572–573Renzo flees, then turns with drawn poniard to face pursuers; desperation turns to resolute defiance.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 379Their courage is said, ironically, to come from disgust of life.read · scan
Outline · 2 ›