Courage. We hear that word being tossed around often, usually in the context of some imagined version of bravery that we think applies to it, but in fact may not actually be an actual form of actual bravery. Courage is often taken to imply strength and bravery, but it hardly is the same thing. A man who takes time to build body strength can be described strong, but if he lacks the bravery to face the consequences of his mistakes, then he cannot be described as a courageous man. See what I mean? They could of course be meaning that courage is an emotional sort of strength, much like a widower would have as she looks to avoid making a scene in public. This is hardly courage, as she would be practicing proper decorum more than actually resolving her feelings.
The other virtues, such as prudence, temperance and mercy, these are all nice when life is easy. But it becomes almost impossible to stay prudent, calm and merciful in a difficult situation for an extended period of time. In much the same manner, courage only exists in a very difficult situation. It is not a virtue by itself, but rather the practice of all virtues at the point of testing. Where prudence by itself cannot stand, courage takes its place. It is easy to keep the virtues when things are going well, but as Winston Churchill once said, ‘It’s when you are afraid that it is hardest to choose the harder right over the easier wrong.’ Pontius Pilate was very merciful to Christ, the Bible tells us, until it became risky.
The other virtues, such as prudence, temperance and mercy, these are all nice when life is easy. But it becomes almost impossible to stay prudent, calm and merciful in a difficult situation for an extended period of time. In much the same manner, courage only exists in a very difficult situation. It is not a virtue by itself, but rather the practice of all virtues at the point of testing. Where prudence by itself cannot stand, courage takes its place. It is easy to keep the virtues when things are going well, but as Winston Churchill once said, ‘It’s when you are afraid that it is hardest to choose the harder right over the easier wrong.’ Pontius Pilate was very merciful to Christ, the Bible tells us, until it became risky.
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