Courage
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3.The Stoic doctrine of fortitude
3a.Fear, not death or pain, is the evil
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 122–123Those who count the body as nothing fear no tyrant.read · scan
- p. 135Not death or pain but the fear of them is to be feared; men are like deer fleeing into nets.read · scan
- p. 163–164Cowardice and lamentation are what deserve the name of ill omen.read · scan
- p. 165–166Harden yourself against fear of death.read · scan
- p. 167–168The fearful waste powers of magnanimity, fortitude and freedom.read · scan
- p. 168–169Endure torture, exile, stripes and death, surrendering all not one's own.read · scan
- p. 179–180Socrates cannot be injured by death; one meets a foundering ship without fear or upbraiding God.read · scan
- p. 180A cowardly spy fears shadows; Diogenes reports death is no evil and shows courage, constancy and freedom.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 264Fear of pain is faulted as impiety.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 845–849Noble suffering owes nothing to Fortune; contempt of pain is a man's own possession.read · scan
3b.Endurance as training and divine gift
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 221–222God tried the people like silver through fire and water and brought them out.read · scan
Paul, The Second Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 530'When I am weak, then am I strong': strength through persecutions and hardships.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 121Man has received greatness of heart, courage and fortitude to endure whatever happens, as spectators endure Olympia's discomforts.read · scan
- p. 123–124We are given the means to bear whatever happens and acquit ourselves with honour.read · scan
- p. 124We have faculties for courage and greatness of heart, as Socrates showed.read · scan
- p. 138Only labour aimed at courage and strength of soul is good, per Diogenes.read · scan
- p. 145The true athlete trains to resist outward impressions.read · scan
- p. 151Endurance and greatness of soul given by God.read · scan
- p. 173–174God matches you with a rough antagonist as a wrestling trainer, so that toil brings victory in crisis.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 228Nothing befalls a man that he is not formed by nature to bear; firmness shows a great spirit.read · scan
- p. 249We must endure what heaven sends and toil without complaining; no cunning arts escape death.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 355–356Strength made perfect in weakness; cross and death are made to serve the believer's salvation.read · scan
3c.Standing like a rock against misfortune
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 239–240Odysseus stands firm as a rock under the blow and does not reel.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 167Aeneas is likened to an oak, unmoved by storms, his purpose firm despite tears and complaints.read · scan
- p. 248–258Latinus stands firm like a rock against the raging throng.read · scan
- p. 344Mezentius stands unmoved like a rock against the darts of his hostile troops.read · scan
- p. 344Mezentius and Aeneas stand like rocks and undertake the doubtful war undaunted.read · scan
Paul, The Second Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 519–520'We faint not': pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, yet not despairing or destroyed.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 194Remaining the same in sharp pain, loss of a child and long illness.read · scan
- p. 207Stand erect on one's own, needing no external help.read · scan
- p. 220–221Stand like a promontory against the waves; remain unhurt by misfortune, unafraid of the future.read · scan
- p. 221To bear misfortune nobly is good fortune.read · scan
- p. 237Soul must not yield before the body does.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 395–405Christ stands unshaken and unappalled amid storm and hellish terrors, in calm and sinless peace.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 114In distress Montaigne relies on himself, thanks fortune for a stormy age, and finds strength against fate.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 294–295The soldier stays unmoving, ignoring the Goblin's threat, and stays dignified after his fall because he is in uniform.read · scan
- p. 295–296The soldier stays firm and unflinching through the drain, the rat's challenge and the sinking boat.read · scan
- p. 296–297Swallowed by the fish, the soldier remains unmoved, shouldering his musket.read · scan
- p. 297He stands firm shouldering his musket even while melting.read · scan
William Ernest Henley, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1209–1211Unbowed under chance's bludgeonings and unafraid of death's horror, the speaker keeps an unconquerable soul.read · scan
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