Essay Topic:

The interpretation of the contemporary definition of the word “courage”.

Essay Questions:

What feelings does the word courage provoke in a man? How is courage traditionally interpreted? How important is courage for any personality type?

Thesis Statement:

The definitions of this word are numerous, but since the world around us changes the definitions change, too. For instance, if we talk about the liberty of word we can define “courage” as the “the person’s ability to say what he thinks on this matter”.

Courage Definition Essay

…Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on…"

Duc De La Rouchfoucauld

Introduction: Courage. What feeling arise in our hearts when we hear this word? Admiration, respect, fear or may be...nothing. This word has a very long history and its origin is from the Latin word coraticum. The root “cor” means "heart". Lately, after the world entered English through French it was completed with an English suffix –age, which expresses action or the result of action.So literally it means “ an action that comes from a heart”, other words it is a noble action. It what sense is this word used by contemporary people? The main interpretation of the usage of this term is – “to describe people who have a quality of mind that allows them to face danger without fear, which is also often referred to as bravery or boldness”. This word it mostly used when talking about man for from its original it is considered to be more of a manly virtue. The definitions of this word are numerous, but since the world around us changes the definitions change, too. For instance, if we talk about the liberty of word we can define “courage” as the “the person’s ability to say what he thinks on this matter”.

Courage is a magnificent word. For many people risking or giving one's life for others is probably the highest example of courage. This is an action that will always be deeply respected by other people and touches every single one of us to the core. What about everyday courage? Can certain devoted actions made by ordinary people in ordinary situations be considered to be courageous? Is courage measured by physically giving someone’s life away for somebody? Is it “courage” when a person reconciles from the death of the loved one? Or is “courage” living with a handicapped child? Jean-Louis Servan-Schreiber does a great job in depicting these two different kinds of courage and gives an easy way to define them as: "courage to die" and the "courage to get up in the morning." This will be different for every person but sometimes a person who is ready for a “real” courage, “courage to die” cannot be strong enough to face the “everyday” one. If we try to base our discussion on this we come to the conclusion that “courage” cannot me measured from a sense of “significance”. We can say that “courage” is being strong even though you are afraid, but on the other hand it is taking risks without knowing the future result. Bravery, heroism, valor, spirit, boldness, firmness, persistence, fearlessness, determination – these words can all be view from a point of being synonyms to the word courage. This word is a combination of these words and has a deeper meaning. Courage can have a negative meaning, too. For instance we can call a “courage” Hitler’s attempt to seizure and suppress the whole world but objectively it is not courage, but ambitions and hate and a wrong idea in his conception.

Conclusion: In ancient times courage was considered to be is one of four essential virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. Analyzing this point of view it is easy to understand why. Courage is one of the most important qualities in a man because without it he will not be able to show his other virtues. He would be afraid of being judged or whatever. You cannot buy courage or get it from someone else. You can only be inspired by the examples of other people. It is not just a gained state of mind, as a result of a meritorious education. It is a calling of a soul. An integral part of a man’s personality. A description of a real “ decent man”.It is originally expected to carry a positive meaning. When an action is made for some kind of “improvement”. It is an action when a person goes through difficulties or bears up against the evil to do something good (or to improve something) and does not expect to gain anything from it. ”Courage” is a state of heart, when dignity is the ruling force. It does not matter what it is – dieing for the life of another person or earning money to pay for the kids education.