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Courage

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“In an autobiography, I will have to write the truth, I should not hide anything. Just to avoid people’s feelings, I should not be hiding things. If I don’t present events as they happened, truthfully, it is not an autobiography at all. I have read Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography and if I can muster up the kind of courage that he had, I will write one.”
Rajinikanth (born 1950) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Naman Ramachandran, in Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography (15 January 2014), page before preface.
“Ecumenopolis is under way, but we lack the overall concept and the courage to guide Ecumenopolis rather than just letting it happen by chance and necessity.”
Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis (1913–1975) said by 1975 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The world needs you and it needs the things you carry. So I wish you the best of all possible journeys and the courage to speak softly.”
Susan Cain (born 1968) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Susan Cain: Quiet revolutionary" speaker profile at TED.com, February 2012 (est.)
“Before one scoffs at national pride and the fatherland, at wealth and good manners, love of one's country, family, and traditions, one must have arrived at a proper evaluation of one's country, have had enough to eat, and have received a good education. Then one can look on from afar and make wisecracks. But I have no sense of humor and not enough courage to be cynical.”
Albert Memmi (1920–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Courage is more important than to be deceived by shallow victory waiting for a delayed defeat.”
Dejan Stojanovic (born 1959) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Every man needs his Siren to check his courage and strength when he hears her song in his travels through the unknown.”
Dejan Stojanovic (born 1959) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Most of all, anarchism is just a matter of having the courage to take the simple principles of common decency that we all live by, and to follow them through to their logical conclusions.”
David Graeber (1961–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is a lonely and arduous excursion, a sufficient test of courage and sincerity: for most men prefer to dwell in comfortable ignorance upon the lower slopes, and there to make of their obvious characteristics a drapery which shall veil the naked truth.”
Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) said by 1941 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”
James Neil Hollingworth (1933–1996) said by 1996 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in K. Patrick Malone, Inside a Haunted Mind (2008) p. 167
“Belonging is not fitting in...Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you're enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. When we don't have that, we shape-shift and turn into chameleons; we hustle for the worthiness we already possess.”
Brené Brown (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’ve learned that power is not bad, but the abuse of power or using power over others is the opposite of courage; it’s a desperate attempt to maintain a very fragile ego.”
Brené Brown (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage.”
Brené Brown (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Yes, I remember those days, it was just the beginning. That was the best thing I have done because it takes a lot of courage. People were creating controversy at the time but now it has changed. People understand the concepts and message behind it. It was too bold at that time.”
Rozlyn Khan (born 1988) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That word identity has been hard for many women who live secular lives and maybe harder for religious women and also feminists. But the women's movement has made a big difference. I don't know who it hasn't helped in this world. It's given a lot of Jewish women courage to stay Jewish and fight.”
Grace Paley (1922–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“a lot more women are writing. A lot of people who wouldn’t have written are writing. When a couple of black women speak, the throats of many are opened. Somehow or other they give courage and sound to their sisters.”
Grace Paley (1922–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In life one should never give in, surrender oneself to mediocrity, but rather move out of that grey area where everything is habit and passive resignation. One has to grow the courage to rebel.”
Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909–2012) said by 2012 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Creativity requires risk. So do exploration and innovation. Anyone who thinks outside of the box is taking a risk. Leadership brings many risk. Courage is exercised in the face of risk. Invest involve risk. Decision-making always mean a certain degree of risk.”
Ben Carson (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Hero tales suggest the price of courage is beyond the ordinary budget. They tempt us to disown the common capacity of the human spirit to transcend normality.”
Sam Keen (1931–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If there’s one piece of wisdom that this simple pilgrim would like to impart upon you: have the courage to start with the customer. My biggest regrets are the moments that I let a lack of data override my intuition on what’s best for our customers. This leadership change gives you some breathing room to break bad habits and deliver sustainable customer happiness — don’t waste the opportunity!”
Andrew Mason (born 1980) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Groupon CEO: “I Was Fired Today.” (February 28, 2013)
“Our tragic age demands poetry of courage and not whimpers about the inevitable end of all maya.”
Mulk Raj Anand (1905–2004) said by 2004 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Investing in education means helping children and young people to discover and appreciate the most important values and to have the courage to look to their future with hope.”
Pope Francis (1936–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[Suggesting Ukraine surrender in the war against Russia] I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates.”
Pope Francis (1936–2025) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Pope says Ukraine should have 'courage of the white flag' of negotiations (March 9, 2024)
“Where the forms of civil, religious and political liberty still exist, they must be strengthened and given new power over the hearts as well as over the minds of men. Faith must not be lost, and courage must not be lacking. The call is for every civilized human being who believes in justice, in liberty and in public morals. The bell is ringing!”
Nicholas Murray Butler (1862–1947) said by 1947 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[I call for] imagination and courage in the endless endeavor to make human life more meaningful and significant, more nearly expressive of the values we cherish... A national policy for the family will earn affirmation and as such should give re-direction to what we are now doing in our social life, and new hope and inspiration to individual men and women and new promise to youth.”
Lawrence K. Frank (1890–1968) said by 1968 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cited in: Ruth H. Jewson, James Walters (1988) The National Council on Family Relations: a fifty year history. p. 15
“I had become someone they could look to for leadership and direction, who would shield from meddling from above, and would ask no act of them that he wasn't prepared to perform himself. I provided for my men a framework within which they were freed to use their own qualities of courage, resourcefulness and tenacity.”
Steven Pressfield (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As the months of agony advanced, there was bred in the warring peoples a genuine and even passionate will for peace and a united world. Out of the conflict of the tribes arose, at least for a while, a spirit loftier than tribalism. But this fervour lacked as yet clear guidance, lacked even the courage of conviction.”
Olaf Stapledon (1886–1950) said by 1950 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It would be preferable to teach that honour and glory can also be won through civil courage and working for social justice.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Since I'm shouldering this commitment, I will do it with courage and without fear. Being the president of the Republic of China is no simple task.”
Hung Hsiu-chu (born 1948) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Hung Hsiu-chu (2015) cited in "KMT denies no-confidence vote plan" on The China Post, 10 September 2015.
“True success depends on one’s commitment to hard work, the courage to unlearn old habits, and the openness to embrace new industry approaches.”
Usama Mukwaya (born 1989) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In: "" at The Independent. 20 September 2025
“I am convinced that if we can muster the courage to work together, we can do what needs to be done. Building a progressive future requires building a progressive movement.”
Bernie Sanders (born 1941) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“At a time when too many Americans are giving up on democracy, now is the time to attempt to restore faith in our government. Now is the time for Congress to have the courage to take on the lobbyists and powerful special interests and show the American people that our government can work for them, and not just the 1%. Let’s do it.”
Bernie Sanders (born 1941) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Paid homage to those martyred in the 2001 Parliament attack. Their sacrifice will forever inspire our nation. We remain eternally grateful for their courage and dedication.””
Narendra Modi (born 1950) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Narendra Modi, 2001 Parliament attack: PM Modi, President Murmu pay tributes to martyrs, Financial Express; New Delhi, 13 Dec 2024.
“A nation rising by breaking the mentality of slavery, a nation drawing courage from every affliction of the past, creates a new history in this manner. A thousand years from today, people will talk about this date, this moment. And how great is Lord Ram’s grace that we are living in this moment, witnessing it happen.”
Narendra Modi (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech and earnestness in action.”
Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949) said by 1949 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am not ready to die because it requires infinitely higher courage to live.”
Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949) said by 1949 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Can't is the word that is foe to ambition, An enemy ambushed to shatter your will; Its prey is forever the man with a mission And bows but to courage and patience and skill. Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying, For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man; Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying And answer this demon by saying: "I can.”
Edgar Guest (1881–1959) said by 1959 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“'Tis better to have tried in vain, Sincerely striving for a goal, Than to have lived upon the plain An idle and a timid soul.'Tis better to have fought and spent Your courage, missing all applause, Than to have lived in smug content And never ventured for a cause.For he who tries and fails may be The founder of a better day; Though never his the victory, From him shall others learn the way.”
Edgar Guest (1881–1959) said by 1959 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No man is greater than his will; No gods to him will lend a hand! Upon his courage and his skill The record of his life must stand. What honors shall befall to him, What he shall claim of fame or pelf, Depend not on the favoring whim Of fortune's god, but on himself.”
Edgar Guest (1881–1959) said by 1959 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Already, a conscious courage is coming to life. Here are some of the painters: Picasso, Georges Braque, Delaunay, Le Fauconnier.. ..they are highly enlightened, and do not believe in the stability of any system, even if it were to call itself classical art.. ..Their reason is poised between the pursuit of the fleeting and a mania for the eternal.”
Jean Metzinger (1883–1956) said by 1956 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My young friends, you are soldiers in the battle of freedom-freedom from want, fear, ignorance, frustration and helplessness. By a dint of hard work for the country, rendered in a spirit of selfless service, may you march ahead with hope and courage.”
Bidhan Chandra Roy (1882–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My young friends, you are soldiers in the battle of freedom- a freedom from want,a freedom from fear,a freedom from ignorance,a freedom from frustration and helplessness....By dint of hard work for the country, rendered in a spirit of selfless service may you march ahead with hope and courage...Remember in this dynamic world you must go forward or else you will be left behind...”
Bidhan Chandra Roy (1882–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It takes a certain amount of courage to tackle very hard problems in science, I now realise. You don't know what the timescale of your work will be: decades or only a few years. Or your approach may be fatally flawed and doomed to fail. Or you could get scooped just as you are finalising your work. It is very stressful.”
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (born 1952) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Peace is a battle. Peace is never given freely, never acquired. Its conquest is the result of courage and of respect for others. It demands awareness and commitment from everyone. Peace is not the law imposed by the mighty, but that which is founded on equality and dignity of all peoples”
Chandrika Kumaratunga (born 1945) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: BBC News, "Kumaratunga promises end to hatred", 22 December, 1999.
“Everybody wants to know about it. Even now. But look at what else I have accomplished since then which must have taken courage. Far more than what it took to streak. But because it's more immediate you think you could even do this. But you can't build a dance institute out of barren land.”
Protima Bedi (1948–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Formlessness is, if anything, a detriment to sobriety and levelheadedness. An aspect of being detached, the capacity to become immersed in whatever one is doing, naturally extends to everything one does, including being inconsistent, and outright petty. The advantage of being formless is that it allows us a moment's pause, providing that we have the self-discipline and courage to utilize it.”
Carlos Castaneda (1925–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Everyone points to the other man,who, according to him, is happier But the only one, who has the courage to declare that he is truly happy, is he who has relinquished all his passions and hungers from within.”
Chinmayananda Saraswati (1916–1993) said by 1993 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Penalties are only missed by those who have the courage to take them. (Italian: I rigori li sbaglia solo chi ha il coraggio di tirarli.)”
Roberto Baggio (born 1967) first seen 2001 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Roberto Baggio, 2001
“Thou too take courage, wealth despise, And fit thee to ascend the skies, Nor be a poor man's courtesies Rejected or disdained.”
John Conington (1825–1869) said by 1869 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That is why we must speak out for freedom, wherever it may be threatened. Violence may be infectious, but freedom and courage are also infectious. The big test of American liberty will come in the let-down after the war. If we do not now learn the habits of speaking out for freedom and fighting for it, we will make poor defenders when we are confronted by the big battalions.”
Max Lerner (1902–1992) first seen 1943 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speak Out For Freedom," first published 21 October 1943, p. 126
“Every one of us is responsible for the culture and reputation of our army and the environment in which we work. If you become aware of any individual degrading another, then show moral courage and take a stand against it. No one has ever explained to me how the exploitation or degradation of others, enhances capability, or honours the traditions of the Australian Army.”
David Morrison (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source