Handout 1

Quotes on Courage

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities . . . because it is the quality which guarantees all others.— Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. — Eleanor Roosevelt, American First Lady

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. — Thomas Paine, American revolutionary and patriot

Courage is doing what your afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared. — Eddie Rickenbacker, American WWI war hero

One man with courage makes a majority. — Andrew Jackson, American president

Courage, then, for the end draws near! A few more years of persistent, faithful work and the women of the United States will be recognized as the legal equals of men. – Mary Livermore, U.S. suffragist

Courage, of all national qualities, is the most precarious; because it is exerted only at intervals, and by a few in every nation; whereas industry, knowledge, civility, may be of constant and universal use, and for several ages, may become habitual to the whole people. – David Hume, Scottish philosopher

Courage is of the heart by derivation,/And great it is. But fear is of the soul. – Robert Frost, American poet

Courage is a quality so necessary for maintaining virtue, that it is always respected, even when it is associated with vice. – Samuel Johnson, British author

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. –C. S. Lewis, British author

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage." -Lao-Tzu, Chinese philosopher

"If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!" James Connolly, a leader of the Irish Easter Uprising of 1916; executed by the British

The gods looked with favour on superior courage. – Tacitus, Roman historian

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