Manly Courage

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point" - C.S. Lewis

Courage. It sounds like one of those chivalrous attributes that went away along with courtesy and compassion. That might not be too far from the truth. Courage is one of those man characteristics. I don't know about you but I often create a dichotomy between virtues that a man should have and virtues that a woman should have. Courage lays on the side of masculinity. I don't mean to say that woman aren't courageous. There are woman all throughout history that have been far more courageous than any man. I do mean to say that men need to be courageous. It is an attribute that all real men should have. What does it mean to be courageous? Does it mean doing something stupid when no one else does? Of course not. But courage does single people out. Not everyone is courageous. This world is filled with many a coward. Being courageous does often mean that you are going to do something that other people are not.

Being courageous means being a leader. It means standing up for what is true, right and pure in the world, even when its not easy or comfortable. It means fighting. There is a reason soldiers are courageous. It is because they fought for what is right. But true courage isn't applied to fighting wars or standing up against bullies. Real courage is demonstrated in every aspect of life. As Lewis says, it really is the form of every virtue at the testing point. It is when your principles and your beliefs are tested and you stand your ground. In the movie "Braveheart", William Wallace says this, "Your heart is free, have the courage to follow it."

I give you the same challenge. I speak primarily to the men. Be courageous. Stand up for what is true. Never back down.