Aristotle — Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.Aristotle
Attributed to Aristotle
Every other virtue needs courage to act. Kindness without nerve stays silent; honesty without nerve stays hidden. Courage is the quality that lets all the rest leave the mind and enter the world.
Speaking a new language is a daily act of courage — the willingness to be imperfect out loud. Each time you do it, you make the next brave thing a little easier.
Words that widen the world
The ability to do something that frightens you.
Synonyms: bravery, nerve, valor
It takes courage to speak a new language aloud.
To make something certain to happen or be the case.
Synonyms: ensure, secure, assure
Practice doesn't guarantee perfection, but it guarantees progress.
Common questions
It means courage enables every other virtue — without the nerve to act, qualities like honesty and kindness stay unexpressed.
It is commonly attributed to Aristotle; the exact wording is uncertain, so we mark it as attributed.
Carry it with you
In your own words, what does this thought mean to you? Write three or four sentences in English about a moment when it felt true — saying it yourself is how it stays with you.
Read more from Aristotle
A hand-picked book or collection to sit with this idea longer. Affiliate links — replace # with your tagged URL.
Explore the readingLove this one? Order it as a print or poster → (shop coming soon)