moral courage essay

Essay About Courage: Top 5 Examples and 6 Prompts

Courage covers a range of topics and meanings. Here are examples and prompts to help you write your essay about courage.

Many believe bravery and courage mean the same thing and even use them interchangeably. However, though both describe heroic acts, they are not the same. Where bravery is the lack of fear, courage is taking action despite it.

Some argue that courage takes more strength because it means sharing your story even though you may be ridiculed, rejected, and misunderstood. It takes courage to admit when you’re hurt or feel lost, vulnerable, and need help.

If you’re having problems channeling and describing what courage is, here are examples that will assist you in connecting with this subject:

1. My Opinion About Courage by Gary Collins

2. moral courage by fernando wood, 3. courage by benjamin patrick, 4. the importance of courage by saloni, 5. essay on courage by manasi shewale, 1. what does courage mean to you, 2. your most courageous act, 3. a courageous hero, 4. things you are most afraid of, 5. what creates doubt, 6. a time when you failed to show courage and regretted it.

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“And even then, she had no grudge against the world. She doesn’t think the world owes her. She never takes money or even grains that she hasn’t earned.”

In this essay, Collins shares his experience with courage through someone named Sunita. Sunita told Collins about her life and what made her who she is. Such as at a very young age, she fought to support herself because no one would have done that for her, and many other tales.

Her stories made Collins realize how lucky he is and how he should be grateful for the many opportunities that come his way without the need to suffer as she did. He also includes that Sunita lives on to inspire others with her courage.

Check out these essays about beliefs .

“Moral courage is standing up for values such as honesty, fairness, compassion, respect, and responsibility but just having these values are not enough we have to try to put them into practice, and we have to commit to moral principles as well…”

Moral courage is doing what’s right and following what your conscience dictates. Wood has three significant elements of moral courage: principle, endurance, and danger.

He explains moral courage through Geoge Norris, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Youssafzai. These people took risks even if their lives were in danger to follow their conscience and do the right things. Wood instills that moral courage is essential in making a critical move, especially when choosing the greater good.

“Courage is the only thing that gets us through the hard times, and the tempting opportunities. Courage is vital to the evolution of the human population. It is also an essential quality to becoming a successful person.”

Patrick discusses how courage helps a person succeed in life. He mentions that we all have courage, but some use it differently than others.

He gives an example of a girl who plays hockey, where the other members are all boys. They looked down on her because of her gender. But instead of giving up, she took it as a challenge and courageously showed them she could play at their level. She became friends with most of the team, but there was one boy who kept on bullying her. The boy misused his courage, but the girl used her courage to fight him off.

“Courage is mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It is the firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty.”

Saloni’s essay shows two kinds of courage: physical and moral. People who depend on physical strength show physical courage. They can protect and help others. If a person is weak, they are not physically courageous.

On the other hand, one’s honesty connects to their moral courage. They are the ones with convictions and don’t support evil works. Even if you are a weak person, you can still be morally courageous. Unfortunately, this courage is rare nowadays because people are afraid of being attacked mentally and emotionally. To be morally courageous means to be a fighter to go against wrong-doings.

“It is very difficult to keep up your morals and therefore, gather up the necessary courage to fight against the wrong situations. Therefore, in today’s date, it is even rarer to find a person with the proper morals required to live a satisfactory life.”

Shewale shares little acts of courage in our everyday lives – such as a girl who loves to dance but is afraid of the stage or a person who’s readying themselves for a job interview. Courage is not only shown in grand scenes but in small acts that help us survive our daily lives.

The author further discusses events where courage helps in more controversial fields, such as injustices to farmers and students’ bullying.

If you want to upgrade your writing style, check out these top essay writing tips to level up your essay.

6 Prompts on Essay About Courage

After reading relevant examples in essays about courage, it’s now your turn to try your hand at creating one. Below are prompts that can guide you in your essay writing:

There is no one definition of courage. It differs from each individual, and its meaning is affected by our experiences and knowledge. In this prompt, share the word “courage” and discuss what courage means to you. When do you feel courageous, and why? Then, describe personal experiences of being courageous or stories of courageous people who inspire you.

Think about a time when you were courageous. Create an essay based on this event and describe in detail what happened. Convey your thoughts and feelings, and show why you were courageous.

Write an essay about a hero in your life. This could be a celebrity you admire, a relative or friend, or a teacher in school. Describe why this person is courageous, why you look up to them, and how they inspire you. Make sure to include fine details of their personality and how they act. This will make for an exciting and compelling essay.

The first step to being courageous is acknowledging you are afraid. Then, to get your fears out of the way, you need to identify what and why they exist. This prompt lets you connect with your readers who have the same worries.

For example, you can share that you’re afraid of rejection, being alone, etc. Then, discuss why and what you plan to do to overcome them. You can also write about how you plan to be courageous while still afraid.

Our greatest challenge to succeeding in something is doubting ourselves. When we doubt ourselves, we start to think of all the things that can go wrong. So we show our courage by being afraid of these negative consequences but still trying and hoping for a good result.

Share an experience when you still tried, even when you’re unsure. It doesn’t need to have the best ending. You only have to prove that it’s better to try and fail than fail without trying at all.

There will always be times when we desperately want to be more courageous but fail to do so due to various factors. Write about that experience, share your feelings, and what you’ll do if you have the chance to repeat that situation.

Do you want to write about another topic aside from courage? Check out this list of best writing topics for students !

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The Risk and Conscience Nexus

Embodying values and principles.

President Kennedy's Insight

Historical narratives: senator norris, historical narratives: nelson mandela, historical narratives: malala youssafzai, concluding reflections, looking beyond historical narratives.

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Featured Article: Moral Courage and Intelligent Disobedience

Home » Simons Center News » Featured Articles » Featured Article: Moral Courage and Intelligent Disobedience

Featured article:

Moral Courage and Intelligent Disobedience by Ted Thomas and Ira Chaleff

The military needs men and women who have courage–the physical courage to go into battle, to overcome fear in the face of bodily injury or death, mental pain, and lifelong disabilities. Militaries run on physical courage. Without it, they run from a fight and surrender. Many sources quote Aristotle as saying, “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.” Courage is a primary virtue, as all other virtues require it.

There is another type of courage the military needs, but it is hard to measure or even define–moral courage. The following words of Robert F. Kennedy are as salient today as they were in June of 1966 when he spoke them in Cape Town, South Africa. “Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality of those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.” Bravery in battle is needed, but so is the courage to stand up for what is right and against what is immoral, unethical, or illegal.

A critical application of moral courage is knowing when and how to disobey–which can be thought of as intelligent disobedience. This involves an ability to work within the system to maintain standards and uphold moral values. Organizational culture and operational pressures can sometimes cause the values of people to become blurred when the mission becomes more important than virtues. These can take us down the slippery slope of ends justifying means. Good people and good Soldiers can do bad things in these situations…

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Moral Courage and Intelligent Disobedience PDF

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Ted Thomas is Director of the Department of Command and Leadership in the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Thomas graduated from the United States Military Academy and served in various command and staff positions before retiring. He received a master’s from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Ira Chaleff is president of Executive Coaching & Consulting Associates in Washington, DC. He is the author of The Courageous Follower, now in its third edition, and co-editor of The Art of Followership , part of the Warren Bennis Leadership Series. His latest book, Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told to Do Is Wrong , was named the best leadership book of 2015 by the University of San Diego.

Posted: April 11, 2017 by Simons Center

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Centers for Moral Courage

Resources and Opportunities for Sharing Stories

Voices of Moral Courage*

By Adele Baruch, Naoko Yura Yasui, Eric Rutberg, and Michael Brady

Stories of moral courage are stories that focus on the expression of bravery to enact interpersonal values or ethical standards in the face of challenge. Stories that focus on choosing to do the right thing have the potential to encourage action in situations that may otherwise lead to despair. In this section of the website we have four interviews with elders who have expressed moral courage in their lives, along with four introductory essays.

Martin Steingesser

Introductory Essay: Martin Steingesser’s Stories of Moral Courage

Essay by E. Michael Brady

The first time I met Martin Steingesser I was with my three young children and we had to look up – far up! The occasion was a parade along Portland’s Congress Street and Martin was on long stilts. As he walked 10 feet above the street, sometimes performing frontward and backward bends and at other times slow and gentle dance moves, he saw my three small children and ambled over to us. We all looked skyward and said “Hi.” Martin returned the greeting with a big smile. Then off he went to delight other parade watchers.

More than 30 years later I met Martin again. This time it was in his home on Munjoy Hill and I was with my university colleague Adele Baruch. We were meeting with Martin to obtain his personal experiences, insights, and stories for the Courage and Moral Choice Project that you are exploring here in Story Commons . Unfortunately, although we audio-recorded that interview and also took copious notes, when Adele and I met with Martin three years ago we neglected to arrange for video-recording. That afternoon was so astonishing and delightful that we wanted to re-visit this conversation with a videographer in the room.

While I was not personally able to participate in the more recent second interview of Portland’s first Poet Laureate, author of three books of poems, and renowned performer and educator, I watched the video (three times) and continue to be in awe of the wisdom, compassion, and grace in Martin’s persona and words. “Give me a heartbeat” is the way he starts the conversation. This theme persists through the interview as Martin’s stories are told from the heart which made it easy to resonate with mine. One of the lines Martin shares and, in fact, repeats that became a takeaway legacy for me is “Every affirmation of the heart is an act of courage.”

I don’t think I’m overstating the case when I say that if you spend the 40 minutes it takes to watch this video you will learn and grow. You will be entertained. You will be challenged. You will be in the company of an inspiring artist and teacher.

Parivash Rohani

Introductory Essay: Parivash Rohani’s Stories of Moral Courage

Essay by Dr. Naoko Yura Yasui

As Parivash grew up in persecution due to her family’s religious beliefs that targeted Baha’i at large, which would eventually burn down her family’s house, Parivash promised herself not to ignore injustice in her life: “I don’t want to be unjust to someone else.” She followed an opportunity to escape to India with contact information for two local Baha’is who supported her pursuit of education, and later landed in the U.S. where Parivash would become active in advocacy for education. She discusses her advocacy work in public awareness on the significance of education through a documentary film and public art. Based on feedback from the audience, these have generated transformative impacts, including the recognition that not everyone has the freedom to learn.

Building on this awareness of the value of education, Parivash envisions an initiative to make education available to the global community, connecting learners and instructors in different parts of the globe. She has been an active advocate with international human rights organizations, through which international pressure was critical to the survival of a number of Baha’is. In Maine, Parivash is active in interfaith community activism, and she points out that working for the community is the ultimate purpose of all religions. She describes her life as following the path to live out of the given options, rather than being courageous as she is sometimes told. Her belief that there is victory after every crisis was the source of hope that sustained her throughout challenging times. She shares that in Baha’i, youth are seen as seeking justice even when not abiding by the law, and that they are cherished because of their sense of justice. To this day, she lives up to the promise she made with herself as a teenager.

Linda Bly-Austin

Introductory Essay: Linda Bly-Austin’s Stories of Moral Courage

Essay by Dr. Eric Rutberg

In this interview, Linda Bly-Austin demonstrates moral courage, describing how she pushed back against cultural, and career norms, potentially alienating her family and school faculty. Leaving a conventional teaching position to join an experimental program was risky. She recognized the traditional schooling approach was failing to meet the needs of some students. At a time when the field of education was entrenched in a punitive model of addressing youth struggling in the school setting, Linda’s story documents the pitfalls and rewards for her dedication to improving the school setting and staying true to her values.

Linda details how she advocated for the application of social justice principles in an alternative school setting. She described how a warm, caring family structure was a key factor in solving problems with youth. Linda recalls the commitment to her principles and the success of the students as being tremendously validating. Now retired, Linda fondly reflects on her family’s pride in her work, the success of her students, and the enduring impact her work has had on transforming her school’s learning culture.

Ervin Staub

Introductory Essay: Ervin Staub’s Stories of Moral Courage

Essay by Dr. Adele Baruch

Ervin Staub, an internationally acclaimed scholar of genocide, altruism, and moral courage is a survivor of the Holocaust. His family experienced both terror and great hardship during that time, as well as the generosity and shelter of others. In this video, Dr. Staub recounts several times in his life when he was faced with moral choices under stress, and he chose to do what he believed to be the right thing.

The first example occurred after a meeting with the Dalai Lama, when he extended an invitation to the Dalai Lama to speak at an international conference on reconciliation, with the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. After receiving confirmation of the Dalai Lama’s willingness to present at the conference, Dr. Staub experienced pressure from several key members of the current Wallenberg Foundation to disinvite him, as some in the Foundation saw his participation as a risk to investment ties to China. Dr. Staub describes discussing the matter with his wife, and he decided to tell the Foundation that if they disallowed the Dalai Lama’s participation, he too would pull out of participation with the conference. When he took that stand, members of the Foundation changed their minds, and both participated in the conference.

At that conference, focused on tolerance and reconciliation, Dr. Staub made a commitment to work in Rwanda, a country experiencing the first few years after mass genocide, to assist in the process of reconciliation. He made plans to go with his wife, a psychologist, and they made several trips together to promote this process. He described three areas of challenge in the context of these efforts. One was that the liason from Rwanda did not communicate plans for their lodging or transportation in Rwanda. In addition, the warfare was continuing in isolated pockets in the country, and his memories as a survivor were triggered in the face of this very recent genocide.

Dr. Staub described his experiences with reconciliation in Rwanda, and during the interview he responded to questions about forgiveness. He noted that the subject of forgiveness is a complicated one. During his work in Rwanda, some of those involved in the efforts towards reconciliation stated that they forgave their aggressors only because they perceived that is what the new government expected of them. Based on these and other experiences with those who have been significantly harmed, Dr. Staub came to see some of the conditions associated with authentic forgiveness. One is that the person who is harmed must be given a full opportunity to share their experiences and associated feelings. The perpetrator must not only recognize the harm, but he or she must also take some responsibility and express a desire to engage in reparation.

Dr. Staub also spoke about his efforts to write and talk about the Armenian genocide, despite being personally and professionally attacked by those from Turkey who had an interest in denying that genocide. When asked about the sources of inspiration for moral courage, he immediately described the courage and generosity of a woman who worked for his family prior to the Holocaust. She was Christian so she could travel freely in Hungary. She found shelter for his family among neighbors. Additionally. when Dr. Staub’s father was sent to a work camp, she made a courageous journey to that camp to give deliver a protective pass to him. Dr. Staub attributes his family’s survival to this woman, and he sees her as the source of inspiration not only for his moral choices, but for his lifelong scholarly interest in altruism and moral courage.

*Videos are not available publicly on YouTube, but they may be shared.

Courage Essay - Nuts and Bolts

By: Angelina Grin

The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the following definition of courage: it is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. As if a fairly clear explanation, however, for many people this concept has different manifestations. Courage, bravery, boldness are synonymous words. They are associated with manifestations of human nature in any emergency situation, and sometimes in everyday life. That is why this topic is quite common for essays in high schools.

Courage Essay Example for You

Essay on courage: historical figures as the best example.

Our article will give you all the answers to the question of "How to write my essay on courage?"

Courage is a very important human trait. Some people think that brave people are exclusively soldiers, rescuers, firefighters and do not consider themselves as such. But I do not agree with this opinion, I believe that everyone can be courageous.

Courage, in my opinion, is a characteristic of a person that complements his boldness. Courageous people are not afraid of responsibility, do not shy away from actions, they have a sense of duty and will always come to the rescue. It may sound a little exaggerated and festive, but in everyday life, courage can be manifested in different ways.

You can often see students at school, having received bad grades, tearing pages from the diary, trying to hide this fact. But there are other students: they go home, show their parents the diary and are responsible for their grades. I can call these children courageous, because even such an act requires moral courage.

Someone will disagree with me and say that it is empty, that it is not the case at all. But everything in life starts small: the responsibility for evaluation in the future can lead to the responsibility for greater actions.

How to become courageous? You need to believe in yourself, look around and ask yourself the question "What can I do?". Maybe someone needs help? You do not have to go far - you can help your mother, grandmother. You can reach out to them for help on the first request, without referring to school workload or headaches. Furthermore, you can protect the weaker when the opportunity arises. You can confess to bad deeds and endure punishment. Courage comes from within and it begins with boldness.

As people grow older, each of their characteristics becomes stronger. Love - in relation to their own children, courage - in more important courageous act for society. One of the best examples of courage is Nelson Mandela. Mandela began his adult life as an underground resistance leader, grew up as a political prisoner, and became a symbol of his country's transition to a multinational and multiracial democracy when he became its president. He is a great example of a man with incredible moral strength. In addition to political victories, he committed other acts worthy of respect. After the death of his eldest son from AIDS, he struggled with the spread of the disease. Thus, he once again showed courage when he spoke publicly about this loss at a time when the topic of AIDS was almost taboo. Mandela died as a great man - in the eyes of many as great as his hero Gandhi, as a man who changed the country, using not the force of arms, but a moral example.

Courageous are the teachers who spend their nights checking our notebooks and putting all their best into us, courageous are the pilots of the planes that take to the skies every day. Doctors, saving people's lives every day, also show courage, because the decision to take this path already requires determination and courage. Salesmen, janitors, educators, police officers - all people in life at least once find themselves in a situation where they have to show courage.

Everyone is courageous in their own way, someone does their daily work without thinking about the fact that in someone's eyes he appears as a hero and a daredevil. You just have to look around and think about the surrounding people, and then you can be surprised: how different everyone is! How many brave and courageous people there are in the world!

The Best Tips for Writing a Courage Essay

The following tips guide students in the right direction when working on a courage essay.

Your essay will be a reflection on the concept of courage. So it is worth starting with the main thing - how do you understand this human virtue.
Argue your point in the body of the essay - give as many examples from life as possible. Have you met brave people? Where and under what circumstances did they show their courage? Think of examples from literature and movies - there are many worthy characters.
Finally, describe once again your vision of the concept of courage. In what it is shown most of all?
If you want to get high-quality homework help on the subject of courage, contact a good writing service. Professional authors will write you a unique essay, check it for plagiarism and provide an essay editing service.

Many plots of classical literature are devoted to brave people. It is literature that allows us not to forget about the great feats, many of which are based on real events. Even more examples of brave people exist in real life. Next, we will talk about people of great courage in history and literature, that you can use as an example in your essay.

Beowulf is a kind of ideal courageous hero. His battle with Grendel is an allegorical description of the warrior's struggle against evil in himself. He defeated Grendel, which means both evil in himself and his fears. This is a manifestation of true courage.
"Profiles in Courage" is a work written by John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, who died for his advanced views on the reconstruction of America and world relations. The 35th President of the United States remained in world memory as one of the country's brightest political figures. His tragic death continues to arouse genuine interest in the personality and views of the great man. The book was written by him personally long before his election to the presidency. This is a historical and biographical story written in simple language. The author talks about the general traits of the outstanding Americans, famous for their steadfastness and loyalty to great goals. Reveals Kennedy's secret and his personality - political courage. Today, students from various schools and universities compete for the title of best author in The Profile in Courage Essay Contest.
"Courage is when you know in advance that you have lost, and yet you get down to business and in spite of everything in the world you go to the end. You rarely win, but sometimes you still win." Harper Lee, "To kill a Mockingbird" . Atticus taught his children to really think and ask the right questions, and to walk with their heads held high when everyone around them thinks you are different.
Stephen Crane's "The Red Badge of Courage" is a story about growing up. It was written 30 years after the Civil War, but has not lost its relevance. The work answers the question of what courage is. Sometimes we have to face our fears to know ourselves in a new way. It is in this case that we show our courage. The story of Henry Fleming and his journey from a frightened, young man to a courageous soldier illuminates important themes many students encounter in their lives, including overcoming fear, soldiering duty and honor, definition of courage, and seeking redemption.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Courage — Courage And Its Importance In Life

Understanding The Importance of Courage in Life

Categories: Courage

About this sample

Words: 746 |

Published: Jan 28, 2021

Words: 746 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

The role of courage in history, works cited:, learning from mistakes , whereas fear leaves us stagnant. thus, the significance of courage in our lives cannot be overstated.\n\nthroughout history, numerous individuals have demonstrated extraordinary courage, reshaping the course of world events. rosa parks, an african american woman, exemplifies such courage as she bravely challenged the status quo and effectuated lasting change. in the early 20th century, the oppressive jim crow laws sanctioned racial segregation, subjecting african americans and impoverished whites to unjust treatment, including discriminatory bus seating policies that favored affluent whites. rosa parks, an unassuming, hardworking woman, was arrested on december 1, 1955, for refusing to yield her bus seat to a white man. she became a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement and was a member of the national association for the advancement of colored people (naacp).\n\nfollowing her second confrontation with the bus driver, james blake, who had twice humiliated her by demanding her seat, rosa parks's resolve to fight grew stronger. it takes immense courage for an individual to stand against an inherently biased system that exploited a marginalized segment of society. while many perceived her as physically tired, her weariness was not physical but stemmed from her refusal to acquiesce to an unjust situation. this incident served as the spark igniting a wildfire. her courage inspired and mobilized countless others, culminating in the montgomery bus boycott, led by dr. martin luther king jr. this year-long protest resulted in a landmark u.s. supreme court decision declaring bus segregation unconstitutional.\n\nrosa parks drew strength from her family, raised in an environment that esteemed education. her family values and education played a pivotal role in nurturing her courage. despite facing discouragement from her husband and other family members due to concerns for her safety, she pressed forward with unwavering courage. her humble beginnings did not deter her. in recognition of her exceptional courage, rosa parks was awarded the congressional gold medal by the u.s. government. her resolute courage resonated with and motivated countless individuals. it fueled their aspirations for equal rights and the abolition of racial segregation, propelling them toward their dreams. one brave individual can ignite the spirits of millions, as exemplified by rosa parks, mahatma gandhi, and nelson mandela , all of whom demonstrated exceptional courage in their quests for freedom. courage, akin to wildfire, has the power to spark hope and move multitudes.\n\nin conclusion, courage plays a pivotal role in life, compelling us to stand up for our convictions. it empowers us to act boldly and share our beliefs with the world. our world's greatness is a testament to the courage displayed by countless individuals. wholeheartedly embraced, courage can turn the seemingly impossible into reality. courage, when translated into action, has the potential to make anything achievable."}" data-sheets-userformat='{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":14281427},"12":0}'>conclusion.

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5 Inspiring Essays on Courage

Courage is a value held in high regard. There are countless quotes and explanations of what “courage” is. Some believe it’s the same as being fearless, while others say that courage is doing the right thing even if you’re afraid. Brene Brown says that “You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you can’t choose both.” Courage is about stepping outside of what’s familiar and comfortable. Here are five essays exploring what courage looks like:

“The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage” (2017) – Susan David

While technically not an essay, the transcript from this 2017 TEDTalk (and the speech itself) is a powerful exploration of emotional courage. Dr. Susan David, who lost her father when she was 15, describes how she dealt with grief. Societies often encourage people to suppress these types of emotions. She talks about a “radical acceptance” of every emotion, even the hard ones, and how this acceptance is necessary for true happiness. This acceptance isn’t easy. It takes courage. She has an especially poignant way of describing courage: she calls it “fear walking.”

Dr. Susan David is a world-leading management thinker and Harvard Medical School psychologist. She’s also an author and contributor to publications like The Harvard Business Review, New York Times, and more. David lectures around the world for clients like the United Nations, Google, and the World Economic Forum.

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“Profile in Courage” (2004) – Dana Calvo

The photo of a single protester facing off a line of tanks is one of history’s most iconic images. In this essay from Smithsonian Magazine, readers learn the story behind it. In 1989, students from over three dozen universities gathered in Tiananmen Square to protest government corruption, joblessness, and attacks on free speech. The government declared martial law, sending tens of thousands of troops to the area. Violence erupted. Several hundred protesters were killed, thousands wounded. The story of the photograph, taken by 33-year old Jeff Widener of the Associated Press, is a story of courage.

Dana Calvo is a former national and foreign journalist. She now works in television.

“This Is A Crisis of Civil-Military Relations” (2020) – Eliot A. Cohen

In this piece, author Eliot Cohen examines what’s going on with military leadership in the age of the Trump administration. While these people are willing to “take a bullet” for America and take on responsibility for the “gravest decisions anyone can make,” they must now show a different kind of courage. Under President Trump’s leadership, the military brass must stand up and risk getting fired. While this essay describes a specific situation between two incredibly powerful branches of American society, it taps into the essence of courage. Courage comes with risks. It often requires people to risk something they didn’t anticipate losing.

Eliot A. Cohen is the dean of The John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He served as the Counselor of the Department of State from 2007-2009. A contributing writer at The Atlantic, he’s also the author of The Big Stick: The Limits of Soft Power and the Necessity of Military Force.

“How To Find and Practice Courage” (2020) – Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries

This essay opens with a story of a CEO who went against shareholder advice to do what he believed was right, even as he feared the consequences. What gave him courage? Had it always been there under the surface? If you’re interested in brain science and the psychology behind courage, this is a great piece. At the end, it offers techniques on how to “practice courage,” such as going out of your comfort zone and taking care of your body when it’s afraid.

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a psychoanalyst, management scholar, and executive coach. At INSEAD in France, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore , he is the Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change. He wrote Down the Rabbit Hole of Leadership: Leadership Pathology in Everyday Life (2018).

“The Six Attributes of Courage” – Melanie Greenberg

What is courage? It’s something most people recognize when they see it, but there are different kinds of courage. In this essay, Dr. Greenberg briefly describes six defining characteristics of courage. She uses quotes from people like Nelson Mandela, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and others. Attributes include following your heart and letting go of what’s familiar and comfortable. The piece concludes with a courage-building exercise.

Dr. Melanie Greenberg is a psychologist, speaker, author, and coach. Her book The Stress-Proof Brain is an Amazon bestseller. She travels the world giving talks to non-profits, businesses, and professional organizations. Active on Twitter, she has been featured in media like CNN, Forbes, BBC Radio, and more.

Moral Courage: A Sociological Perspective

Culture and Society
Published: 26 February 2018
Volume 55 , pages 181–192, ( 2018 )

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While many social scientists have written about obedience and conformity, few have analyzed the conduct of outliers and nonconformists who defy these forces by engaging in acts of moral courage. Among psychologists and philosophers, moral courage is often portrayed as an individualistic phenomenon that is immune to sociological analysis. This paper challenges this view, positing that social ties with like-minded coconspirators, an identification with ‘imagined others’ who espouse similar moral beliefs, and social interactions that awaken the conscience play a crucial role in facilitating these seemingly solitary acts. Drawing on two original case studies – a border guard who defied a restrictive immigration law on the eve of World War II, and a Serb who crossed the lines of ethnic division during the Balkan wars of the 1990s – the article illuminates the social dimensions of moral courage and contributes to the project of developing a social psychology of conscience.

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Talcott Parsons and the Sociology of Morality

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Press, E. Moral Courage: A Sociological Perspective. Soc 55 , 181–192 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-018-0231-4

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Published : 26 February 2018

Issue Date : April 2018

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-018-0231-4

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Essay on Personal Courage

Students are often asked to write an essay on Personal Courage in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Personal Courage

What is personal courage.

Personal courage is being brave in the face of fear. It’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. Imagine standing up to a bully or speaking in front of a class. It takes guts to face challenges and not run away.

Types of Courage

There are many kinds of courage. Physical courage is about risking your safety. Moral courage means standing up for your beliefs. Emotional courage involves sharing your feelings, even if you might get hurt.

Why It Matters

Courage is important because it helps us grow. When we are brave, we can make new friends, learn new things, and become stronger inside. It’s like a muscle that gets better the more you use it.

Examples in Everyday Life

You show courage when you try new foods, ask a question in class, or help someone who is in trouble. It’s not just for superheroes; it’s for everyone, every day.

Building Personal Courage

250 words essay on personal courage.

Personal courage is the strength to face fear, pain, or challenges. It’s like being a superhero in real life, but instead of fighting bad guys, you’re battling your own fears. It’s not about being fearless, but about choosing to move forward even when you’re scared.

Types of Personal Courage

There are two main types: physical and moral. Physical courage means you can stand up to physical pain or danger, like defending a friend in trouble. Moral courage is standing up for what’s right, like speaking the truth even when it’s not easy.

Why is it Important?

Courage is key to growing up. It helps us try new things, like making a new friend or learning to swim. It also helps us stand up for ourselves and others. With courage, we can face bullies or admit when we’ve made a mistake.

How to Build Courage

Building courage takes practice. It’s like a muscle that gets stronger the more you use it. You can start with small challenges, like asking a question in class. Each time you face a fear and overcome it, you become a little braver.

In conclusion, personal courage is a special power we all have inside us. It helps us face tough times and do the right thing. Remember, being courageous doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid; it means you’re brave enough to go on despite the fear.

500 Words Essay on Personal Courage

Courage comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s doing something big, like moving to a new city. Other times, it’s small, like asking a question in class. Physical courage is when you might get hurt, like falling off a bike. Moral courage is when you stand up for what’s right, like telling the truth even if it gets you in trouble.

Why Is It Important?

Being brave helps us grow. When you try new things, you learn and become stronger. It’s like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Courage also helps us to be good friends and family members. When we stand up for others, we show that we care and are willing to protect them.

Stories of Courage

You can become more courageous. Start with small steps. If you’re afraid of talking to new people, start by just saying “hi” to someone. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll be having full conversations. Remember, it’s okay to be scared. Everyone is scared sometimes. The key is to not let fear stop you.

Personal Courage in Everyday Life

You don’t have to fight dragons to be brave. Personal courage is also about standing up to bullies, trying a food you’ve never eaten before, or admitting when you’ve made a mistake. It’s about being honest with yourself and others.

Encouraging Others

Personal courage is a special kind of bravery that everyone has inside them. It’s about facing your fears, big or small, and doing the right thing even when it’s hard. By being brave, we learn, grow, and can help others. Remember, it’s okay to start small, and with each brave step, you’ll become more courageous. So, next time you’re feeling a little scared, take a deep breath, and remember that you have the power to be brave.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Criticism Vs Courage

Cristiano Ronaldo is a world class player. He is regarded as one of the best soccer players in the world; but many think he has not yet proven himself to win a trophy on the international stage level. By having the right mindset to control...

Brecht, Epic and Courage

Bertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright and theatre practitioner and is regarded as being one of the greatest 20th century dramatists. He was a principle influencer in the creation of the epic theatre form, as Brecht desired to create a theatre form that appropriately...

The Characteristics of Courage

Saving a baby from a burning building. Spending time with passing ones. Standing up for political rights. These acts look odd when they are put together, but they do exemplify one shared foundation, courage. Courage is the ability to show determination in times of risk...

Audacious Courageous Acts Throughout to Kill a Mockingbird

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Courage – the Most Powerful Yet Extremely Underrated Virtue

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The Power of Courage: an Analysis of a Farewell to Arms

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Harry S. Truman and Red Scare

Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third President of the United States, was known for making a multitude of controversial decisions during his presidency and there are a multitude of ways he exhibited political courage during his life. For instance, Harry S. Truman’s involvement with the Red...

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About Courage

Courage (also called bravery or valor) is the ability to do something that frightens one.

Physical courage – Feeling fear yet choosing to act. Emotional courage – Following our heart. Intellectual courage – Expanding our horizons, letting go of the familiar. Social courage – To be ourself in the face of adversity. Moral courage – Standing up for what is right.

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