At the bottom of a good deal of the bravery that appears in the world there lurks a miserable cowardice. read more

At the bottom of a good deal of the bravery that appears in the world there lurks a miserable cowardice. Men will face powder and steel because they cannot face public opinion.

The truly brave,
When they behold the brave oppressed with odds,
Are touched with a desire to read more

The truly brave,
When they behold the brave oppressed with odds,
Are touched with a desire to shield and save:--
A mixture of wild beasts and demi-gods
Are they--now furious as the sweeping wave,
Now moved with pity; even as sometimes nods
The rugged tree unto the summer wind,
Compassion breathes along the savage mind.

A true knight is fuller of bravery in the midst, than in the beginning of danger.

A true knight is fuller of bravery in the midst, than in the beginning of danger.

In adversity it is easy to despise life; he is truly brave who
can endure a wretched life.
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In adversity it is easy to despise life; he is truly brave who
can endure a wretched life.
[Lat., Rebus in angustis facile est contemnere vitam;
Fortiter ille facit qui miser esse potest.]

Then rush'd to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, but left the shield.

Then rush'd to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, but left the shield.

You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.

You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you.

The god-like hero sate
On his imperial throne:
His valiant peers were placed around,
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The god-like hero sate
On his imperial throne:
His valiant peers were placed around,
Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound
(So should desert in arms be crowned).
The lovely Thais by his side,
Sate like a blooming Eastern bride
In flower of youth and beauty's pride.
Happy, happy, happy pair!
None but the brave,
None but the brave,
None but the brave deserve the fair.

The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and read more

The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.

No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil; nor
temperate, who considers pleasure the highest god.
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No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil; nor
temperate, who considers pleasure the highest god.
[Lat., Fortis vero, dolorem summum malum judicans; aut temperans,
voluptatem summum bonum statuens, esse certe nullo modo potest.]