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Courage

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Courage Your time is limited, so do not waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition (brainy quotes).
The current dictionary’s definitions of courage intend to be a little inadequate because they only really reference to physical courage and omit instances of inner strength. Three commonly used dictionaries agree closely on the definition although they differ in the order of importance. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes courage as "an attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult or painful, instead of withdrawing from it," and the American Heritage Dictionary gives a similar explanation. While the Oxford Dictionary affiliates with this meaning, it states that the primary definition is "spirit, mind, or disposition." Courage is a state of mind: that enables a person to overcome fear, pain, danger, or hardship. Although different from one another, all aspects of courage involve taking risks. Physical courage is linked to every human body. Courage is not just found in the soldiers who can display shiny medals or in the detectives who bravely risks their life for justice as portrayed on television. It is not an elementary school girl who agrees to fight, but she who can stand up against it. A six year old boy who ventures out on his bicycle for the first time displays as much courage as a young man who witnesses a murder and volunteers to testify in court. It is the everyday person who goes out of their way to save someone, not because it is their job. Society often forgets as humans we have feelings. The perception of how a message is conveyed. Mental courage, having the inner strength to do what is right. One of my favorite novels that show undeniable courage, is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, both Atticus Finch and Mrs. Dubose exemplify moral courage. Throughout the novel Atticus was portrayed as a man of great courage and integrity. Atticus had to discuss concepts with his daughter Scout when they were at Finch Landing. Scout wanted to know why Atticus was going to defend Tom Robinson if he already knew he was going to be defeated. Atticus then explained to Scout that, “simply because we were licked a hundred years before they started is no reason for us not to try to win (pg 76).” Atticus was demonstrating his courage by proving that no matter how hard things get, you should never give up, and that you should always fight for what you believe in. Atticus is shown as being courageous by demonstrating perseverance and standing up for what is right. Emotional courage requires the ability to continue on with life after a tragedy. Robert Ingersoll stated that "the greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone gives you courage. In my life, I can inarguably say this fits. In ancient times courage was considered to be one of four essential virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. Courage is one of the most important qualities in a person because without it, they will not be able to show their other virtues. People are afraid of being judged. You cannot buy courage or get it from someone else. Courage is learned and shown by the examples of people that are important in our life. It is not just a gained state of mind, as a result of a noteworthy education. It is a calling of the human soul. An integral part of a human’s personality. Perfect courage could be defined as to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on.

Work Cited: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 1975 ed http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stevejobs416854.html#GmGE84cvUZxDR3JB.99 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courage
Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms. 1951 ed. http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/courage?region=us Courage. The Shorter Oxford Dictionary on Historical Principles. 1973 ed.Ingersoll, Robert G.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee pg 76

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