Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave (The Stoic Virtues Series)

by Ryan Holiday

Courage is risk. It is sacrifice . . . . . . commitment . . . perseverance . . . truth . . . determination.

The brave are not without fear—no human is—rather, it’s their ability to rise above it and master it that makes them so remarkable. In fact, it must be said that greatness is impossible without doing this.

Fear does this. It keeps us from our destiny. It holds us back. It freezes us. It gives us a million reasons why. Or why not.

Do you know what the most repeated phrase in the Bible is? It’s “Be not afraid.” Over and over again these words appear, a warning from on high not to let phantasiai rule the day.

Don’t worry about whether things will be hard. Because they will be. Instead, focus on the fact that these things will help you. This is why you needn’t fear them.

Nec aspera terrent. Don’t be frightened by difficulties.

“Plenty and peace breed cowards,” Shakespeare said.

It’s good that it’s hard. It deters the cowards and it intrigues the courageous.