Courage

The observance of the mean in fear and confidence is Courage.

a coward calls a brave man rash and a rash man calls him a coward, and correspondingly in other cases.

and a liberal man seems prodigal in contrast with a mean man, mean in contrast with one who is prodigal.

Rightly spoken, Laches;

Very much so, Socrates.

On my word, Socrates, not I.

then courage is a living creature, that is, the mind in a certain condition.

Justice and courage, if they are living creatures, are certainly terrestrial.

If justice, courage, temperance, and the other virtues are living creatures, how will they have one mind?

the virtues of the spirited part are gentleness and courage;

Accompanying courage are boldness, good spirit, confidence, daring, and also love of toil and endurance.

Courage is the virtue of the spirited part, by which they are hard to dismay by fears that concern death.

No one, then, who is irrationally courageous is gnostic;

Nearly, then, in the gnostic, with knowledge the perfection of courage grows out of the joint discipline of life, since he has practised always to master the passions.

For some, being by nature high-spirited, and then having nourished this without reason, rush irrationally upon most things and do deeds like those of the courageous, so that sometimes they achieve the same things—such as enduring tortures easily;

And perhaps it is in place first to say that you have done well in choosing this kind of contest.

All men would agree with me, I believe, that it is of the utmost importance for young men of your age to possess beauty in respect of person, self-discipline in respect of soul, and manliness in respect of both, and consistently to possess charm in respect of speech.

Believing also, as you do, that it is futile to desire the things most worth while, or yet to be physically endowed for all sorts of feats, unless the soul has been prepared for an ambitious career, at the very outset you exhibited diligence in the training grounds, nor in the real tests were you disappointing, but you gave extraordinary proof of the distinction of your natural gifts and particula …

For of all virtue, I say, and I repeat it, the beginning is understanding and the fulfillment is courage;

For the mastery among the survivors is decided as the deity disposes, but that which each was in duty bound to contribute to this end, every man who has kept his post in battle has done.

As for Courage and the other elements of virtue, I shrink from rehearsing the whole story, being on my guard for fear an untimely length shall attach to my speech, but such facts as it is worth while even for those who are familiar with them to recall to mind and most profitable for the inexperienced to hear, events of great power to inspire and calling for no tedious length of speech, these I sha …

Shed down a kindly ray from above upon my life, and strength of war, that I may be able to drive away bitter cowardice from my head and crush down the deceitful impulses of my soul.

Ares, exceeding in strength, chariot-rider, golden-helmed, doughty in heart, shield-bearer, Saviour of cities, harnessed in bronze, strong of arm, unwearying, mighty with the spear, O defence of Olympus, father of warlike Victory, ally of Themis, stern governor of the rebellious, leader of righteous men, sceptred King of manliness, who whirl your fiery sphere among the planets in their sevenfold c …

Noble indeed beyond our dreams was the courage these men attained, honorable and magnificent the choice they made.

Such trials Leosthenes induced the citizens to brave undaunted, and they gave up their persons gladly to share the struggle with so great a leader.

While praise is due to Athens for her policy, for choosing as she did a course not only ranking with her past achievements but even surpassing them in pride and honor, and to the fallen also for their gallantry in battle, for proving worthy of their forbears’ valor, to Leosthenes the general it is doubly due;

and thus it happens that men of a warlike temper obtain a more satisfactory peace than those who too readily come to terms.

Therefore those should not lack courage who are about to take up arms in a just cause, but far more those who are insolent and do not know how to bear their good fortune with moderation.

For my part, I consider that the strongest and surest ally we can have is just dealing, for it is probable that the favor of the gods will be with those who deal justly—that is, if we may judge the future by the past;

I am astonished that those who hold the view to which I have just referred do not rail also against wealth and strength and courage;

Though many motives impelled me to abide by these principles, not the least incentive was that I saw that courage and cleverness and the other qualities which are held in high esteem are shared by many even among the base, whereas justice and temperance are the possessions of the good and noble alone.

Nevertheless, it is not fair to decry strength because there are persons who assault people whom they encounter, nor to traduce courage because there are those who slay men wantonly, nor in general to transfer to things the depravity of men, but rather to put the blame on the men themselves who misuse the good things, and who, by the very powers which might help their fellow-countrymen, endeavor to do them harm.

Good.

On a par with death, it seems.

and this is courage, is it not?

Then, Simmias, he continued, is not that which is called courage especially characteristic of philosophers?

for they fear that they may be deprived of certain pleasures which they desire, and so they refrain from some because they are under the sway of others.

If they are to be brave, must we not extend our prescription to include also the sayings that will make them least likely to fear death?

But any words or deeds of endurance in the face of all odds attributed to famous men are suitable for our youth to see represented and to hear, such as:

I don’t know the musical modes, I said, but leave us that mode that would fittingly imitate the utterances and the accents of a brave man who is engaged in warfare or in any enforced business, and who, when he has failed, either meeting wounds or death or having fallen into some other mishap, in all these conditions confronts fortune with steadfast endurance and repels her strokes.

But how about those who incline towards courage?

I suppose you believe that courage is one part of virtue.

We say acute and courageous in the first instance, also quick and courageous, and energetic and courageous;

Again, whoever is desirous of saving his life, let him strive for victory;

We, then, taking to heart this lesson, so suited to the crisis which now confronts us, must be brave men ourselves and call forth bravery in our fellows.

nevertheless, we must quit ourselves like brave men as well as may be in these circumstances, and must not yield, but rather try to save ourselves by glorious victory if we can;

It is quite evident that you have conducted yourselves as brave men;

And if you would always keep this in mind, you would be more valiant men.

and you Hyrcanians—for now I speak with you also as confederates and allies—you must know that we are in a position where we shall meet with nothing but disaster if we betray a lack of courage;

Next comes Courage, Euthydemus.

And bad, except such as deal badly with them?

So those who behave badly are utterly mistaken?