Courage
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5.Martyrdom and steadfastness in faith
5a.The martyrs as true examples of fortitude
See also: Religion 14b · Punishment 9a
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 494–495Apostles endure hunger, persecution and reviling, blessing when reviled.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 468Paul counts his life of no account so long as he finishes his course.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 247–248Martyr Laurence calmly endured loss and suffering; striving long to overcome oneself.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 103He would run merrily to death in a good cause; martyrs suffered loss rather than offend God.read · scan
John Calvin, Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian ReligionVol. 39
- p. 30The faithful endure chains, torture and exile for trust in the living God.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 277–278Martyrs give the true examples of fortitude, surpassing the audacity of Alexander and Caesar, whom Aristotle's requirements of true valour hardly fit.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 94–95Polyeucte's fearless zeal and readiness for martyrdom contrast with Nearchus's fear of the rack.read · scan
- p. 95Nearchus overcomes fear and weakness, resolving to embrace death and torture.read · scan
- p. 99–102Pauline trusts Christian steadfastness; they know not how to yield, but can die.read · scan
- p. 102Christians' high courage before torture and death, joy in agony.read · scan
- p. 127–128Severus marvels that martyrs, tortured and slain, never fail themselves and sprout afresh like Cadmus' seed.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 342Believers armed spiritually resist Satan, undaunted even to death and persecution.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 159Noble deaths of Lacedaemonians scarcely move us, while martyrs' resolution can form ours.read · scan
- p. 269Maidens suffered martyrdom and princes gave up pomp as effects of Christ's coming.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 100–101Faithful praised as brave in word and deed, enduring martyrdom.read · scan
- p. 264Christian's ancestors are cited as martyrs who endured stonings, sword, fire and lions for the Lord.read · scan
- p. 276–277Christian and Faithful praised as lion-like men undaunted before the Judge; Faithful bravely suffered martyrdom.read · scan
- p. 284–285Pilgrims thank God that Faithful bore his cross so well; his manly suffering benefits them.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 283–284English reformers died like heroes with fortitude in defence of their religious ideas.read · scan
George Gordon, Lord Byron, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 801–802The sons are proud of persecution and seal their belief with blood.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 306Martyrs such as Sanctus endured terrible tortures rather than deny their faith.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, HeroismVol. 5
- p. 130–131The heroic always finds crises to try him; martyrs like Lovejoy face mobs and persecution for principle.read · scan
5b.Boldness in confessing and preaching the faith
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 514–515'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.'read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 391–392Jesus continues his course despite Herod's threat.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 429Peter, filled with the Spirit, answers boldly before the council after arrest.read · scan
- p. 430–431Unlearned men show boldness before the council despite threats, astonishing their judges.read · scan
- p. 431–432The apostles pray for boldness to speak the word despite threats.read · scan
- p. 433The apostles, beaten, rejoice to be counted worthy of dishonor for the Name, and keep teaching daily.read · scan
- p. 442–443Saul preaches boldly despite plots against his life at Damascus and Jerusalem.read · scan
- p. 454–455Paul rises after stoning and continues, telling disciples that through many tribulations we enter the kingdom.read · scan
- p. 462–463The Lord bids Paul not be afraid and promises protection while he speaks.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 120He gains firmness by reading and thought and boldly confesses Christ before men.read · scan
- p. 121–122Having not feared a mad multitude in rhetoric, Victorinus will not fear the meek flock.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 123Polyeucte faces death firmly, repeating I am a Christian.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 96–97Pilgrims are confirmed in suffering and Faithful is urged to speak boldly and defy Beelzebub and his angels.read · scan
5c.The Christian pilgrim's warfare
See also: Religion 8b · War and Peace 1d · Angel 8d · Sin 4c
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 214–215Stand firm in the battle, striving like men, and God will help.read · scan
- p. 265Resolve to die and suffer rather than consent to the tempter; the Lord is strength, so no fear.read · scan
- p. 290–291Prays for courage to resist, patience to endure and constancy to persevere.read · scan
- p. 299One must struggle bravely all life long; victory goes to him who overcomes, misery to the slothful.read · scan
- p. 300–301Quit thyself like a man and be strong; do not be fainthearted.read · scan
- p. 329–330Exhorts followers to bear the cross bravely, follow Christ the Captain into battle, and not fear terrors or flee.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 199Launcelot faces guardian lions with drawn sword.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 22–23Christian says he cares not what dangers he meets if only he is delivered from his burden.read · scan
- p. 29–31Pliable is discouraged at the Slough and quits; Christian persists through hazards for celestial glory.read · scan
- p. 36–38A stout man has his name written, fights through armed men, and wins entrance to the palace where others fear.read · scan
- p. 44–45He resolves to climb the Difficulty hill, preferring the right hard way to the easy wrong one.read · scan
- p. 45–46Christian keeps climbing on hands and knees despite the steepness.read · scan
- p. 46–47Christian, though frightened by Timorous and Mistrust's report of lions, resolves to venture forward since retreat means certain death.read · scan
- p. 49–50Christian trembles before the chained lions; the Porter says they test faith and bids him keep to the path.read · scan
- p. 59–60Christian, unarmored at the back, resolves to stand his ground against the fiend Apollyon rather than flee.read · scan
- p. 62–63Christian takes shield and sword and resists Apollyon manfully through a half-day combat despite wounds.read · scan
- p. 63–64Though thrown down and near death, Christian regains his sword and wounds Apollyon; the valiant man makes the dragon quit the field.read · scan
- p. 64–65Christian goes on with sword drawn, undeterred by the returning men's warning.read · scan
- p. 65–66Christian goes on despite the returning men's report and the narrow, dark path with ditch and quag.read · scan
- p. 66–67Christian resolves to go forward rather than back, remembering earlier dangers overcome.read · scan
- p. 76–77He withstands importunate shame and the verse urges pilgrims to be vigilant and quit themselves like men.read · scan
- p. 77–79Christian praises Faithful's bravery against Shame and recounts his combat with Apollyon in the Valley.read · scan
- p. 89–90Evangelist exhorts the pilgrims to hold out against trials, resist the Devil and set faces like flint.read · scan
- p. 90–91Exhorts pilgrims to be faithful unto death and quit themselves like men.read · scan
- p. 127–128Little-faith, attacked by Faint-heart, Mistrust and Guilt, has no power to fight or flyread · scan
- p. 169–170Pilgrims have fought devils and overcome evils, being stout and brave defenders of the way.read · scan
- p. 173–175Valiant-for-the-truth is stout, unturnable; Great-heart and he slay Despair and demolish Doubting Castle.read · scan
- p. 185–186Timorous urges fear of Lions, Vanity Fair and other dangers, especially for a woman, against Christiana's resolve.read · scan
- p. 190–191Mercy ventures boldly over the Slough of Dispond, and Christiana warns of coming fears and afflictions.read · scan
- p. 194–195Earnest knocking that seems to take the Kingdom by storm despite fear of the dog.read · scan
- p. 196–198Christiana wrathfully resists the two men, spurning them and refusing their proposal.read · scan
- p. 198–199Christiana refuses the ruffians, choosing death rather than hazard her soul; the women resist and cry out.read · scan
- p. 220–222Great-heart is unafraid of lions while the boys cringe behind; those bold when safe shrink when danger appears.read · scan
- p. 222–223Great-heart fights and kills Grim the giant to protect weak women and children on the King's highway.read · scan
- p. 223–224Great-heart reports his long combat with the giant and the pilgrims praise his stout fighting for them.read · scan
- p. 238Matthew bids his mother fear nothing with Great-heart as conductor, who slew the giant.read · scan
- p. 239–240Piety bids Christiana be of good courage entering the Valley where Christian fought Apollyon.read · scan
- p. 243–244Christian's battle with Apollyon commemorated; he played the man like Hercules and won fame.read · scan
- p. 244–246Verse and narrative celebrate Christian's brave fight and Great-heart bidding the frightened pilgrims be of good courage in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.read · scan
- p. 246The guide stands firm against the roaring lion and bids the frightened pilgrims fear not; resisting the Devil makes the enemy flee.read · scan
- p. 247Great-heart encourages fortitude in darkness, trusting God rather than himself.read · scan
- p. 247–248Great-heart, servant of God, readily agrees to fight the giant Maul who threatens the pilgrims.read · scan
- p. 249–250Great-heart, struck down, recovers and fights on to overcome the giant, then praises God.read · scan
- p. 250–251Great-heart says he must distrust his own strength and rely on his Master, who conquered after being struck down.read · scan
- p. 251–252Honest says a Christian can never be overcome unless he yields of himself, and he would fight to his last breath.read · scan
- p. 252–253Christian's courage and endurance made his name renowned.read · scan
- p. 253Fearful Fearing neither turns back nor ventures easily; his timidity contrasts with his persistence.read · scan
- p. 253–255Fearing is fainthearted yet will not go back.read · scan
- p. 255–256Not afraid of lions on the hill, but ready to die for fear in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.read · scan
- p. 256–257At Vanity Fair he would have fought all, though timid elsewhere.read · scan
- p. 257–258Fearing feared no lions or Vanity Fair, only spiritual terrors; weakness of mind, not of spirit.read · scan
- p. 271–272Great-heart shows stout-hearted fortitude, prevailing over the giant after hard fighting.read · scan
- p. 281–282Holy-man says pilgrims need courage and an unspotted life; without courage they cannot hold on their way.read · scan
- p. 283–284Valiant worthies face the beast that no townsman dared face, winning fame.read · scan
- p. 286–287Great-heart and companions boldly go to challenge Giant Despair at his castle gate.read · scan
- p. 287–288Great-heart and his men fight and slay Giant Despair, overcoming his pride and strength.read · scan
- p. 294–295Valiant-for-truth refuses to join thieves, turn back or die cheaply, and fights three assailants.read · scan
- p. 295–297Valiant fights three hours against odds, trusting truth and his King; his sword grows to his hand and he fights most bravely bleeding.read · scan
- p. 300–301Song of true valour: pilgrim stays constant against lions, giants and hobgoblins, unafraid of what men say.read · scan
- p. 301–302Pilgrims with swords drawn, guide and guard cheering one another through the dangerous Enchanted Ground.read · scan
- p. 315–316Valiant-for-truth bequeaths his sword, courage and skill, and carries his marks and scars as witness of having fought his Lord's battles.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Modern HymnsVol. 45
- p. 557–559Fearless before devils and foes; little flock told not to be dismayed.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 388–389Exhorts them to fight the good fight and quit themselves like men in the coming warfare.read · scan
5d.Timid clergy and the duty of courage in ministry
See also: Duty 11a · Religion 10a
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 18–19Don Abbondio's cowardice: he stays neutral, yields to the stronger and condemns priests who risk themselves defending the weak.read · scan
- p. 361–362Federigo rebukes the chaplain's warnings of danger as soldiers exhorting their general to cowardice; he would seek out the outlaw as Saint Carlo would.read · scan
- p. 369–370Don Abbondio's timid dismay at the commission to go with the Unnamed; he hides discontent and pleads for pity.read · scan
- p. 370Federigo detects Don Abbondio's cowardly fear of traveling with the Unnamed and tries to dispel it.read · scan
- p. 416Abbondio pleads fear of death; the Cardinal insists ministry requires facing danger for charity, following Christ's example.read · scan
- p. 417Abbondio pleads he cannot give himself courage; the Cardinal says suffering for righteousness is the priest's conquest.read · scan
- p. 417–418Courage comes from reliance on God, as with the martyrs; love for one's flock is intrepid and overcomes fear.read · scan
- p. 421–422Abbondio sees only his temporal danger; the Cardinal notes iniquity rests on others' fears and credulity, and threats exceed action.read · scan
- p. 527Some remain healthy, unshaken in courage, always at their posts amid the plague.read · scan
- p. 527–528Federigo walks into the pestilence heedless of danger where good is to be done.read · scan
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