Courage Quotes
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.
"A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live."— Lao Tzu
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Meaning of this quote
The contrast presents restraint and endurance as forms of courage alongside visible risk-taking. Living bravely may require strength that attracts little attention.
Key takeaway:
Recognize quiet perseverance as a form of courage.
Origin of the quote
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 73, Stephen Mitchell’s interpretive version.
Who actually said this?
VerifiedMitchell uses inward where the post uses inner. The wording is a modern free rendering, not a literal translation of an ancient English text.
