Courage
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2.The sources of courage
2a.Courage from nature, breeding and training
See also: Pleasure and Pain 6b · Education 3c
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 389Aeneas bids his son learn to suffer and dare in fields of war.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 350–353Habit and use overcome the townspeople's timidity, making them bold enough to approach the dolphin.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 348The Moor urges the frightened boy to pluck up courage, insisting he is now a grown man.read · scan
- p. 351The Moor tells the boy to strengthen his resolve and fear not, since he is a man now and no longer a child.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 255–256The northern folk longed to wear through their day in fearless wise.read · scan
- p. 265–266Sigmund tests Signy's sons by giving them the meal-sack; the timid boy who fears the hidden snake is judged unfit and killed.read · scan
- p. 267Sinfjotli endures the flaying of his hands without flinching and unknowingly kneads the venomous worm into the meal, proving his mettle.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 32The father arms his son, saying with these arms he shall live or die.read · scan
- p. 238–240Acquainted with troubles, Cellini is incapable of fear despite terrifying hints of hanging.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of the Institution and Education of ChildrenVol. 32
- p. 40Toughness of body differs from the philosopher's patience; endurance is trained by exercise.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 342–343Says hunting should test men's manhood against beasts that turn on them, not tame chases fit for ladies.read · scan
John Milton, Tractate on EducationVol. 3
- p. 243–244Weapon exercise, tempered by lessons on fortitude, inspires fearless courage and hatred of the cowardice of doing wrong.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 50Courage and steadiness do not lie in roughness and ill breeding.read · scan
- p. 71–72About tutors and good breeding; courage is not discussed here.read · scan
- p. 97–98Steadiness of mind is built by preventing early fright and gradually familiarizing children.read · scan
- p. 98–99Mastering small fears prepares the child to meet real dangers in life's warfare.read · scan
- p. 99–100Inuring children to pain gives firmness of mind and lays a foundation for courage.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 169–170Disputes Hobbes and others on whether natural man is fearless or timorous; concludes he learns not to dread beasts.read · scan
- p. 172–173Civilized softness costs man his courage.read · scan
William Ellery Channing, On the Elevation of the Laboring ClassesVol. 28
- p. 314Labor gives efficiency, courage and capacity of endurance.read · scan
- p. 331If courage is taught as true manhood, many will die rather than fall short of that idea of a man.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 201The energetic ruling class has boldness and animal spirits, facing what daunts the wise and the pale scholar.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 420–421School playgrounds admire courage and despise meanness.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1253–1254The forest-bred boy has iron arms and knows no fear, fatigue or cold.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Origin of SpeciesVol. 11
- p. 94Sexual selection might give indomitable courage to victorious males.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 152Courage and truth are the pillars of a girl's being, yet schools neglect them for manners.read · scan
2b.Courage from faith, trust in God and a clear conscience
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 34–35Athene puts boldness in Telemachus' heart so he can speak and ask about his father.read · scan
- p. 42Nestor says Telemachus, guided by the gods, will be no coward or weakling.read · scan
- p. 124The men, breathed with courage by a god, thrust the burning stake into the Cyclops' eye.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 146–147He will not be afraid of ten thousands of enemies because God sustains him.read · scan
- p. 172–173Fearless confidence even if a host or war rises; exhortation to be strong and take courage.read · scan
- p. 177–179Exhorts those who hope in Jehovah to be strong and take heart.read · scan
- p. 208–210Facing many proud enemies, he refuses fear: 'What can man do unto me?'read · scan
- p. 259The faithful need not fear terror by night or pestilence; they trample lion and serpent.read · scan
- p. 293With Jehovah on his side, the psalmist fears not what man can do against surrounding nations.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 85–86Venus bids Aeneas have courage and leave the rest to the gods.read · scan
- p. 131Their courage fails and fear renews after the prophecy, driving them to prayers.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 386Fear not those who kill the body; God values men above sparrows, so do not fear.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 903–904The sorcerers meet Pharaoh's threats with 'No harm'; Moses trusts his Lord when overtaken.read · scan
- p. 946–947Believers are told not to be timid but patient and to stand firm before a troop.read · scan
- p. 948–949Patient steadfast believers overcome far greater numbers by God's permission.read · scan
- p. 959–960Two companies nearly showed cowardice, yet God was their guardian; patience and fear of God bring victory.read · scan
- p. 963–964Believers threatened by men only increased in faith: 'God is enough for us'; fear God, not Satan's allies.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 190They refuse to turn back despite warning of death, trusting in God whom they serve.read · scan
- p. 199–200He passes the lions unharmed by making the cross.read · scan
Martin Luther, Address to the Christian Nobility of the German NationVol. 36
- p. 334–335He prefers the world's anger to God's and asks for true spiritual courage for the nobility.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 232–233Cellini eats with a stout heart and defies the castellan, saying he cares for nothing in the world.read · scan
- p. 236–237He bears the new troubles with fortitude, singing and praying.read · scan
- p. 237Hardened to misfortune, he faces armed men and the threat of the dungeon undismayed, defying them with trust in God.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 221Drake shows courage and confidence in God's mercy while the ship is stuck on a rock, hopeless of escape.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 15–17Fortitude is the more heroical virtue; true greatness joins man's frailty with God's security.read · scan
- p. 42–43Like a dog gaining courage from its master, man gains force and magnanimity from trust in divine protection.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 362–363Despite friends' warnings he insists on preaching in weakness, trusting God's strength.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 389–390Holy martyrs endured fiery tortures, and David trusts God against the lion and bear.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 77Polyeucte trusts heaven will give strength to face death if called.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written During the Civil War and the Protectorate, 1642-1658Vol. 4
- p. 81–82Cromwell guided by faith and matchless fortitude.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 232True fortitude to endure hardship comes from inward humility.read · scan
- p. 262Woolman goes forward to meet an armed man and speaks to him in a friendly way.read · scan
- p. 263He perseveres through danger by resigning himself to God.read · scan
- p. 264News of warriors nearby tests his faith; he finds a resigned, quiet heart through prayer.read · scan
- p. 266–267He fears captivity among warriors yet centers his mind in resignation and quiet.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 428–429Tell trusts in God and his own strength to pass through mountain dangers.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 417–418Courage comes from reliance on God, as with the martyrs; love for one's flock is intrepid and overcomes fear.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 343Faith gave strength to dare all, even give life joyfully; now no ideal chivalry prescribes heroism.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 289–290Man faces danger, plague and bullets for duty; fear invites harm while a high aim heals; William of Orange example.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 272–273In storm and peril they keep hold of one another and gain courage from psalms.read · scan
- p. 277Eliza ventures at night past ghoulish lamias to the churchyard, trusting in prayer despite fear.read · scan
- p. 277–278Eliza faces the graveyard and death, continuing her work with firm will and trust in Providence.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1000–1002The knight sings that his strength is as the strength of ten because his heart is pure.read · scan
- p. 1002–1003Maiden knight without fear because of hope and faithread · scan
Emily Brontë, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1110–1111Speaker declares no coward soul, armed by faith against fear, asking for a chainless soul with courage to endure in life and death.read · scan
2c.Courage from honour, shame, love and example
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 329Odysseus bids his fearful father take courage.read · scan
- p. 332–333Laertes rejoices that son and grandson vie in valour.read · scan
Aeschylus, The Libation-BearersVol. 8
- p. 110–111Chorus urges Orestes to hold the heart of Perseus and not spare his mother.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 305Nisus rushes on the crowd to avenge Euryalus and dies content.read · scan
- p. 366Fear and flight, then shame that drives men back to the charge.read · scan
- p. 389Troops rush to avenge the slain youth with equal courage.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 96Generals win obedience by prowess; kin as witnesses incite valour.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 69Dante trembles like one with ague at mounting Geryon; shame and Virgil's encouragement make him bold.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 255Dante hesitates before the fire despite Virgil's assurance; the name of Beatrice moves him to enter, and he would leap into molten glass to cool.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 161–162Crew declare they would follow the captain through the world, yet doubt their leaky pinnace can survive on so little provision.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 313–315Valorous soldiers throw themselves into danger for God, nation and prince, driven by desire and honour.read · scan
Sir Philip Sidney, The Defense of PoesyVol. 27
- p. 23–24Reading Amadis or Aeneas carrying Anchises stirs hearts to courtesy, liberality and especially courage.read · scan
- p. 27–28Songs of ancestors' valor kindle brave courage among Hungarians and Spartans.read · scan
- p. 36Alexander gained more bravery from the pattern of Achilles than from a definition of fortitude.read · scan
- p. 39–40Poesy is said to stir notable courage rather than effeminateness.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 79–80Ancient honors were able to inflame all men's courages.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at School and at College, 1624-1632Vol. 4
- p. 23–25Christ called most perfect hero tried in heaviest labours and dangers.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 90Music breathes deliberate valour, unmoved by dread of death or flight, rather than rage.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Manoa hopes Israel will find courage to seize the occasion; Samson's heroic death inspires valour.read · scan
John Dryden, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 389–391None but the brave deserves the fair; the trumpet and drum call to arms.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 100Praise for bravery and pride in manliness lead the child to prefer reputation to avoiding pain.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 170–171Hippolytus wants to leave idleness, win glory against monsters like his father and prove himself his son.read · scan
Robert Graham of Gartmore, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 531–532He will mount his steed and win the prize for her sake.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 320Egmont hopes the courage he inspired returns from the people's hearts to his.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 360Courage and longing awaken in him to live and die for his country as a worthy example.read · scan
- p. 408–410Hermann vows to defend his house and parents with courage and strength, urging steadfastness amid uncertain times.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 514–516The soldier is a stranger to fear abroad, quailed only by love of the lass.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 426–427Baumgarten offers his life for his country; oath of brotherhood in danger and death.read · scan
- p. 456–457She contrasts Tell's selfless daring with the friends who stood by.read · scan
- p. 475–477Rudenz and Melchthal rush into the flames to save Bertha, risking their lives.read · scan
Sir Walter Scott, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 751–752Lochinvar is daring in love and dauntless in war, escaping pursuers.read · scan
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 705–707Knight leaps among a murderous band to save the Lady from outrage.read · scan
John Keats, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 884–885Porphyro ventures into a hostile house of enemies for love.read · scan
- p. 892–893Lovers flee past sleeping dragons and the bloodhound, fearless in escape.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, FriendshipVol. 5
- p. 110Friendships must be treated with roughest courage, contending against Time, Want and Danger.read · scan
- p. 112Friends dignify each other's daily needs and embellish life by courage, wisdom and unity.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1243–1246Love requires stout courage and unbending valor.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 248She resolves to dare everything, even the feared sea-witch, to win the Prince and a soul.read · scan
- p. 249–250Frightened by whirlpools and grasping polyps, she recovers courage by thinking of the Prince and the soul, and presses on.read · scan
- p. 251–252The witch tests her resolve ('have you lost your courage?') and she accepts the loss of her tongue for the Prince.read · scan
Edgar Allan Poe, The Poetic PrincipleVol. 28
- p. 384–385The lover promises to follow unshrinking through the furnace, or perish too.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1133–1134Father was cheerful and firm, beckoning the fearful.read · scan
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