Courage
‹ 6 · Outline · 8 ›
7.Heroism and self-reliance
7a.Emerson's heroism as self-trust
Samuel Daniel, Beauty, Time, and Love: Sonnets; To SleepVol. 40
- p. 219–220Daring ventures, like soaring, win glory even if they fail.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 25–26The Earth-spirit's sign makes him ready to dare the world, bear earth's woe and bliss, and not despair in shipwreck.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 282–283Courage, strength and hope possess him; he will risk everything on the cast of the die.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 355–356We are soldiers in a foreign land, to act with submission, courage and heroic joy.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American ScholarVol. 5
- p. 11–12Inaction is cowardice; no scholar without the heroic mind.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, An Address Delivered before the Senior Class in Divinity CollegeVol. 5
- p. 39–40Great souls rise at threats and crises with readiness of sacrifice, as Massena awoke when the battle went against him.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 60Advance on Chaos and the Dark, not as cowards fleeing.read · scan
- p. 74–75We are timorous, afraid of truth, fortune, death and each other; parlor soldiers avoiding the rugged battle.read · scan
- p. 76–77Prayer should be brave and manly; 'our valors are our best gods'.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 96–97Strength goes to the brave in the closing verse.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, HeroismVol. 5
- p. 122Sophocles' disdain of fortune and death conquers Martius; the free soul cannot be captive.read · scan
- p. 123Plutarch's Lives refute the cowardice of theorists; wild courage and blood-born stoicism give them fame.read · scan
- p. 123–124Heroism is the soul's warlike attitude, self-trust and contempt for safety and ease, facing evil single-handed.read · scan
- p. 124–125Self-trust is the essence of heroism: undaunted fortitude, defiance of falsehood and wrong, scorn of external goods.read · scan
- p. 127Heroism shown as gay, playful greatness that takes nothing too seriously and defies convention; noble minds ennoble any place.read · scan
- p. 128Urges the young, including women, to sail on with fearless self-reliance and never strike sail to a fear.read · scan
- p. 129–130Genuine heroism is persistent; do what you are afraid to do and face danger, disease and violent death boldly.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, New England ReformersVol. 5
- p. 264–265Heroes like Alexander and Caesar treated life and fortune as a game, holding the stake lightly.read · scan
- p. 270Cheerfulness and courage befit us, and life valiantly conducted is a true romance.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 273–274The hero is unharmed by blows, prison, lions and flames.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1264–1267Be a hero in the strife; it is sublime to suffer and be strongread · scan
Edgar Allan Poe, The Poetic PrincipleVol. 28
- p. 392Scorns weeping and craven wights; men's business is to fight and die heroically.read · scan
John Ruskin, Sesame and LiliesVol. 28
- p. 139Scott's few heroic men reach the ideal only in courage and faith.read · scan
7b.Moral courage against opinion and authority
See also: Truth 4c
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 45–46Be fearless in deed always, fearless of speech when right prevails.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 23–25Have courage to give advice candidly, even sharply.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 97Pompey shows great courage speaking despite shouts and abuse.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 167He enters his enemy's house alone and asks whether he would have come if afraid to die.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 197–198Demosthenes alone stood up to oppose Python's torrent against Athens and turned the audience against Lamachus' panegyric.read · scan
- p. 210–211The judges' generous courage in acquitting Demosthenes against Macedonian favor.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 119He refuses to act despite the threat of losing his head.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 239Pliny aided Artemidorus at personal risk while others hesitated.read · scan
- p. 314–315Pliny agrees to share Senecio's risk so resentment will not fall on him alone.read · scan
- p. 338Pliny proceeds calmly with his bold motion against Certus, sustained by conscious integrity, despite hostile interruptions from the senate.read · scan
- p. 338–340Pliny resists friends' warnings of risk from a powerful man, willing to suffer in an honest cause if fate decrees.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 91–92Trampling upon the threats of a feared and powerful man, he shows an unwonted spirit.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 12–13Shahrazad, undeterred by the warning tale, proceeds to the king with a plan of deliverance through story.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 77–78The king rides alone before the armed rebels.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 114More refuses to yield despite the threat of the treason bill.read · scan
- p. 114More calls the Lords' terrors arguments for children and stands firm in his determination.read · scan
- p. 114More rejoices that he gave the devil a fall and went so far he could not retreat without shame.read · scan
- p. 114He meets peril from princes and the oath without flinching, calling the field won.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 121He faces arrest cheerfully and with a lowering look, going off with the chamberlains.read · scan
- p. 121–123Cellini boldly defies threats from Governor and Fiscal, claiming he is an honest man who fears no sins.read · scan
- p. 123–124He stands firm against merchants' pleas not to contend with a Pope.read · scan
- p. 172Despite illness he publicly confronts the calumny.read · scan
- p. 307Cellini chooses to face the court rather than flee; his men pledge loyalty and he is roused by a voice bidding him fear not.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 395He tries his fortitude by approaching the cane after the others failed.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 117Fabian warns of Decius' rage; Severus is undeterred.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 227Ambush and licensing may be valor in soldiery but are weakness and cowardice in the wars of truth.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 180Abdiel alone stays unshaken and unterrified, scorned by multitudes yet constantread · scan
- p. 204Abdiel's single stand against revolted multitudes is called the better fightread · scan
- p. 204Abdiel steps forth alone to meet Satan, undauntedread · scan
Abraham Cowley, Of AgricultureVol. 27
- p. 68–69Horace showed moderation and courage in refusing the emperor.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 316Stands alone facing accusations and persecution.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 51A young man needs resolution, steadiness and manly assurance to resist temptation; sheepish softness endangers virtue. Fortitude is tied to virtue, though not explicitly courage.read · scan
Sir Richard Steele, The Spectator ClubVol. 27
- p. 85Captain Sentry, gallant in sieges, says it is civil cowardice to hold back asserting what one deserves.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 399–401Melchthal resolves to defy the tyrant and his myrmidons alone if necessary.read · scan
- p. 413–416Melchthal enters the tiger's den of Sarnen castle disguised as a pilgrim.read · scan
- p. 445–447Rudenz dares to speak out against the governor and challenges him to knightly combat.read · scan
- p. 465–467He compares his resolve to the huntsman risking death for a chamois, but his prey is nobler.read · scan
Sir Walter Scott, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 752–753Dundee scatters the hostile crowd with the toss of his bonnet and vows to live in caves before yielding.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 81Haughty treatment rouses Cristoforo's courage, though he tempers his speech from concern for those he defends.read · scan
- p. 83Haughtiness paradoxically inspires the friar with courage to speak.read · scan
- p. 85–86Friar speaks boldly, then bows submissively.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 331Beatrice urges boldness, feeling free and unshaken by consequence, while Lucretia collapses in fear.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 366–367Puritans hesitated to confront powers; Knox's firmness and nobleness enabled the struggle.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 917Offered courage and faith to his king, though vain.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American ScholarVol. 5
- p. 15He accepts poverty, solitude, scorn and self-doubt in making his own path against society's fashions.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 74Calls for courage and constancy, waking Thor and Woden, in resisting temptation through truth-telling.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 451The Times has national courage, considerate and determined, attacking dukes, bishops and Admiralty.read · scan
- p. 452There is safety in valor; no journal is ruined by wise courage in cleaving to the right.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 97Sterling's moral courage surpassed Maurice's, letting him outgrow his masters' dominion.read · scan
- p. 189–190Mill values men like Bradlaugh who assert individual convictions against popular opposition rather than being demagogues.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 225The price of intellectual pacification is the sacrifice of the moral courage of the human mind.read · scan
- p. 277Defying usurped moral authority comes to be considered a mark of spirit and courage.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 264–265Dana puts on a bold front and holds firm against the captain.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Twenty-Four Years AfterVol. 23
- p. 397Dana dismisses Foster's threat, saying he was never formidable.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1371–1372Brave man chooses truth early; heroes stand alone while the multitude later honors martyrs.read · scan
- p. 1380Heroes risked life in danger to serve truth, being true to themselves and daring what they dreamed.read · scan
- p. 1382To front a lie in arms and not yield is God's measure of a stalwart man.read · scan
- p. 1386Choosing danger and disdaining shame gives men angelic might and imperishable gains.read · scan
7c.The hero defying gods, fate and tyrants
See also: Tyranny 5b · Fate 9d · Will 8a · War and Peace 1d
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 137Odysseus refuses to flee and goes alone to face Circe despite Eurylochus's pleas, because constraint is laid on him.read · scan
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 200–201Prometheus refuses to quail before the new gods despite torment.read · scan
- p. 201Prometheus endures threats and refuses to plead in womanish supplication; defiant fortitude under torment.read · scan
- p. 204–205Prometheus invites storm and Tartaros and yet declares Zeus shall not slay him; the chorus loyally chooses to share his fate.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 138–139Leviathan is made without fear and men are terrified before him; weapons are useless.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 255Antigone's daring resolve contrasts with Ismene's fearful weakness against the state.read · scan
- p. 267–272Antigone tells Ismene to take courage and accepts death, having given her soul to Death to help the dead.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 617–618The Future Buddha resolves never to stir from his seat until he attains supreme wisdom, unshaken by thunderbolts.read · scan
- p. 618–619Abandoned by all the gods, the Great Being sits alone and relies on the Ten Perfections as shield and sword.read · scan
- p. 619–620The Future Buddha remains unmoved against every terror Mara unleashes.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 270Hymn praises Hercules facing every danger unafraid.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 345–346Hogni breaks the gates and refuses to be daunted by Vingi's threats.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 214–216Faustus boasts manly fortitude and scorns joys he will not possess.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 391–392Though his charm fails, Macbeth refuses to yield and chooses to fight to the last.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 88–90Satan's defiance: courage never to submit or yield, though defeated.read · scan
- p. 90Dauntless courage in Satan's brow and the faithful host.read · scan
- p. 108–125Satan stands unterrified before the dread monster, fearing only God and his Son.read · scan
Christopher Smart, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 484–486David's triumph over the boaster and defiance of Satan's powers.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 441–442Tell's skill is to be tested before all; the crowd shows horror at the trial.read · scan
Lord Byron, ManfredVol. 18
- p. 446Both Manfred and Abbot stand fearless before the infernal apparition.read · scan
- p. 448Manfred defies the demons to his last breath.read · scan
George Gordon, Lord Byron, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 789–791Though hope is shattered, pangs may crush but shall not subdue him.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 383–384The English hero defies fortune, chooses his part deliberately and dies with grandeur.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1297–1299His cry is a cry of defiance and not of fear.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 976–977Old heroes strive with gods; some noble work may yet be done before death.read · scan
- p. 977–979Ulysses urges his men to seek a newer world; heroic hearts strong in will to strive, seek, find and not yield.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, The Study of PoetryVol. 28
- p. 73Milton's line 'courage never to submit or yield' is offered as an example of highest poetry.read · scan
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