Aristotle tells us that “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.” Indeed, when we think of positive characteristics such as integrity, justice, and honor, it is courage that provides us with that ever present help for us to do that which needs to be done, or to make that stand where a stand needs to be made, because those that know what the right thing is to do, but have not the courage to act upon their belief, have betrayed who and what they should be to give in to their cowardice.
To be courageous is no easy task, especially when doing so, risks exposing us to possible public shaming, or when we are opposed by forces that could hurt us, but we need to be cognizant that every time that we have a choice to be courageous but fail to do so, we have given in to injustice or a wrong, as a personal convenience, because we do not wish to expose ourselves to the possible negative consequences of being courageous. While this may well be the case, it isn’t what we were meant to be or to do, for those who believe firmly in the right because it is right, but will not defend that right, when it is being assailed by others, lack both courage and integrity.
That said, a wise person understands that not every situation calls for courage at that immediate time and place, because we know that there are certain situations in which discretion and prudence will overrule an action which, while courageous in its principle, is unwise given the circumstances presented to us. In other words, a brave person recognizes that there are going to be those times when we must bite our tongue, because the outcome is not going to be helpful right then and there, and further, they recognize that not every negative action needs an immediate response.
Additionally, it is courage that we are impressed to demonstrate whenever we are placed in the unenviable position of answering a difficult probing question or are facing taking an action that we know for a certainty is going to make somebody in authority or someone that we respect, upset. But when we do not dare to do the right thing, because we are worried about how others will respond, then we have sacrificed our sovereignty for the sake of getting along, and in addition, we have strengthened that which deserves no further strength by having failed to challenge such.
Those who are courageous are the best of human beings, because these are the people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good, because they recognize that through their sacrifice that they are helping to make society a better place for their courageous actions taken within it -- for all those then that have a voice but will not use it appropriately when called upon, or those that need to take action where action must be taken, but fail to do so, these may be good people, but what they are not, is courageous, and there is a world of difference between the two, for when you have not found something worth fighting for, you haven’t found anything worth living for, either.