“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
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Quote
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis highlights that courage is not a standalone virtue but the essential quality that enables all other virtues to manifest in difficult circumstances. While virtues like honesty, patience, or compassion are important in themselves, they are truly tested and proven only when faced with challenges or adversity. Courage, in this sense, is the willingness to act on these virtues, even when it’s difficult or dangerous. It is the form of all virtues when they are put to the test, allowing someone to do the right thing even when faced with fear, risk, or uncertainty. Without courage, even the best virtues might remain unexpressed, as one might hesitate or falter when confronted with a challenge.
Historically, Lewis believed that moral integrity is only truly revealed in adverse conditions, where people must make choices that demand strength and resolve. In works like The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity, he explores how courage is required to act in alignment with one’s moral beliefs, especially when they conflict with societal pressures or personal desires. For Lewis, courage was fundamental to the practice of virtue, because it enables a person to persevere in doing good, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
In the modern context, this quote speaks to the importance of moral courage in a world that often values comfort or conformity over standing up for what is right. In an era of social media, political polarization, and personal challenges, the ability to embody virtues like honesty, compassion, and justice often requires the courage to act despite fear or resistance. Lewis’s words remind us that courage is necessary for the full expression of virtue in our everyday lives—whether in personal relationships, work, or public actions—and that it is courage that allows us to stay true to our values when they are tested.
