Courage is my word of the year and what a challenging, stretching, and intense word to play with this year. I say “intense” because this is the first word that seems to pop up everywhere for me. A word that likes to surprise me; almost sneaks up on me with a “ah-ha, here is something to think about now concept about courage.” I never have had a word of the year before with so much “life” of its own before.
I have been gathering quotes about what others have said about courage so thought this month I would share some of these words of wisdom with you about courage. I will continue to collect these throughout the year and know they will add to my depth of knowledge about courage. Many people rate courage very highly and I have much to learn yet:
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently,” Maya Angelou
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at its testing point.” C.S. Lewis
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 Amplified Bible
“You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both.” Brene Brown
“Courage does not always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher
“Choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid at the exact same time” Brené Brown
“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.” Sydney Smith
“Let nothing frighten you. Who has God, lacks nothing. God alone is enough.” St. Teresa of Avila
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” E.E. Cummings
“Courage is found in unlikely places.” J.R.R. Tolkien
“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.” Ruth Gordon
“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.” Madeleine L’Engle
Which quote resonates most with you?
I agree, Lisa!
It is abundantly clear that “curious” is Jean’s perfect word for 2025.
You have curated a wonderful collection of quotes to encourage yourself (and the rest of us).
Thanks Barb!
How interesting that this word has taken on a life of its own for you! (“Curiosity” was that way for me.) I love that phrasing, btw. These quotes are very thought-provoking. They really home in on the prioritization of courage as a first-line virtue. (I’m still not brave enough to even choose it as a One Word! ha)
This Brene Brown quote speaks the most to me right now: “Choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid at the exact same time.” If I didn’t do things afraid, I wouldn’t do much of anything. 😉
I know all these words of wisdom teach us something don’t they? give me insight and make me think deeper
Deuteronomy 31:6.
Thank You, Lord, that You are our courage, our strength, our hope.
amen
Wonderful quotes, Jean. Thank you for sharing! Some of these will get copied into my quote journal. I especially appreciate Mary Anne Radmacher’s. Courage isn’t just for the dare devils, the adventurers and trail blazers. Those facing difficult, ongoing circumstances–right at home–display courage too. Many of them will get up tomorrow and face those circumstances all over again. God bless these persevering, courageous ones!
I remember you have a quote journal, What a great practice that is! Wonderful bits of wisdom aren’t they? collecting these about courage helped me focus more on courage and deepened that word into my heart tool