What Is the Meaning of ‘Courage Isn’t the Absence of Fear’? (5 Key Points)

In this article, we will be analyzing the quote Courage isn’t the absence of fear.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear – Analysis.

Everyone will get frightened of something or another. Among us, we have our fears, and it’s something quite ordinary. There is no method we could evade fear, and there’s no second option. However, it is necessary to remember that fear would swallow us up, and courage will direct us to the road of improvement. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It simply implies that there ought to be a concept that is even bigger than terror inside us. As a brave person, we can’t name a person who is not scared of something.

Nevertheless, in the true sense, an individual who is afraid of such things but is still concentrated and committed to do so and accomplish the objective is indeed “courageous.” It is an individual’s ability to comprehend that something is bigger than fear. 

We grow into adults striving for courage, appreciating people in their daily lives who show it. We want to be courageous ourselves, but Franklin Roosevelt’s quote raises a fascinating and common misunderstanding in the way we perceive courage. 

Does being courageous imply not being fearful, as it clearly initially appears? It was the complete opposite, asserted Franklin Roosevelt. Courage is not feeling any fear, but instead feeling fear and deciding to conquer for something bigger than one thinks.

These values were profoundly expressed by Franklin Roosevelt himself, bringing major and widespread changes. He introduced these improvements when he was the 32nd Commander – In – chief of the United States in his significantly long tenure. Franklin managed to show his courage in the face of one of the biggest fears we’ve encountered as humans, World War II. 

Even when Europe was in chaos and the possibility of the attack began growing with each day, Franklin created his New Deal.

For almost a century now, he has transformed the outlook of American policy. On top of that, Roosevelt made the quite unimaginable decision to participate in one of the huge military commitments in the history of humankind amid all this terror. That is courage. Roosevelt displayed determination and resilience in the face of true fear, genocide, and global chaos. He realized that there was something more essential than being frightened.

Fear is a concept that’s really subjective. At times, we are terrified, scared by certain circumstances, and frightened for many causes. It’s completely evident, and that’s all right! There’s really no relief from it at all.

At the same time, it is important to remember that one who fears the desire to succeed will be steadily lost. To battle all obstacles and experience difficulty with all its guts, a person must have a courageous soul, and that is termed ‘courage’. One has to understand that something is bigger than fear itself. At the same time, measuring fear is important. To know the rationale for his or her apprehension, one should have the requirement and, therefore, carefully analyze it.

He or she must have the courage to face all kinds of scenarios, regardless of how demanding it is! Fear isn’t going to go away in a day. An individual needs to be more consistent in his or her strategy.

The very first day you proceeded to the stage to speak, your arms and feet would have begun to shake. But as you grew older and continued to engage in all those events, you eventually began to gain self-confidence, and that’s how it goes! Your courage pushed all of your fear away.

The biggest hindrance in the life of an individual is fear. Fear of failures, fear of what others think, fear that they will get hurt. Those fears retain individuals away from experiencing their ambitions. An individual’s main regrets at the end of life have to do with fear.

Fearfulness means never crossing the road out of fear of being struck by a vehicle. However, to be fearless is to walk in the middle of a lane, with no worry in the world.

What is courage?

Courage, an element of positive personality that makes us deserving of respect, is something everyone needs. Our history is abundant with admirable tales of courage for the common good and self-sacrifice. Children are being raised on various courageous and inspiring tales, from the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz who gathers the courage to confront the witch to Star Wars and Harry Potter.

But courage is not just physical courage. History books tell colorful tales of social movements who have chosen to speak against the oppression at great personal costs, such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Business owners like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, who have taken financial risks to pursue their goals and invent, are like modern-day warriors, highlighting the riches that courage can offer and public recognition.

Six faces of courage

• Stepping forward even when you feel fear

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” —Nelson Mandela

• Doing what your heart wants

• Staying strong in the face of misfortunes

• Take A Stand For What Is Correct.

• Get out of your comfort zone.

• Confronting Struggles With Self respect or Belief

Courageous individuals stand up to things that harm them or the things they value, or the people they care about. They act accordingly in a manner that is consistent with their principles. The action needed often, however, is not typically loud but calm and reflective.

The other perspective that is mostly taken of courage is that it needs the taking of substantial risk, but with thought. Courage and being courageous is not about jumping in thoughtlessly, but worrying about it and then, if needed, doing it anyway.

Usually, behaving courageously makes us feel better since it requires controlling feelings. We embrace courage this much shows us that this is an act that is very natural. Courage can also motivate us to do ‘positive things in the context of behaving in a way that reacts to danger properly, not over-confidently or in a callous way. Courage also encourages us to behave against those who attack or who behave badly.

What is Fear?

Fear is a human emotion that is normal, strong, and primal. It includes both a fundamental biochemical reaction and a high emotional reaction of the person. Whether the threat is physical or psychological, fear warns us of the existence of risk or the possibility of damage.

Fear is often the product of actual threats, but it may also come from perceived dangers. Fear may also signify some mental health disorders, such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Fear consists of two primary responses: biochemical and emotional, to any suspected hazard.

Fear is a natural emotion and a survival technique. Our bodies react in particular ways whenever we face a possible threat. Perspiration, elevated heart rates, and increased adrenaline levels that render us highly alert are physical responses to fear.

On the other side, the emotional reaction to fear is strongly individualized. Since fear in our brains includes some of the same chemical reactions that positive emotions such as joy and enthusiasm do, experiencing fear can be seen as pleasant in some situations, such as watching horror films.

Some people are thrill seekers, engaging in dangerous sports and other circumstances of excitement that cause fear. Others may negatively respond to the sensation of terror, evading circumstances that cause fear at all costs.

Fear is immensely complex. Some fears may arise from encounters or trauma, while others can solely reflect a fear of something, such as a lack of control. Still, because they trigger physical symptoms, other fears can arise, such as being scared of heights because they cause the stomach to feel dizzy and nauseous.

How to become more courageous?

• Exercise courage often

Frequently, exercise courage. Show it continuously by trying something new, being special, or addressing a fear. Major hurdles produce great courage, but tiny ones retain their strength every now and again. Create a list, a lengthy list of all that frightens you, and handle each of them one by one steadily. Take baby steps and start building up. Practice your courage, just like exercising a muscle. The more you do so, the stronger it’ll get and the more self-belief you will develop to handle greater and greater difficulties.

• Accept distress

You take a chance when you show bravery, and you accept the possibility that something might go bad. Embrace it and show the strength it takes to move on. Find temporary and precise explanations of why the collection of objects might have gone. Note that any suffering, uneasiness, or pressure is only acute and only linked to this case.

Believe that you are the source of nice and positive results more often than not and that the choices you make and choices you make more often than not contribute to outcomes that reflect your values.

• Courage is not invulnerable.

Showing courage doesn’t indicate that you are strong. Showing courage and yet having fears and self-doubt is normal. 

The decision to overcome those obstacles does not mean that you are not going to have concerns. You could make choices and seriously question whether they are the correct ones. The choice itself is not where bravery resides, but rather in the willingness to face certain self-doubts and determine what you will do once you encounter them.

• How devoted you are to showing bravery

Sometimes we get frightened when we think about the dedication it can take to get them. In life, we are assured of everything, so every choice we make meets the risk that it can not function as planned.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Conclusion

In this article, we analyzed the quote Courage isn’t the absence of fear.

FAQ: Courage isn’t the absence of fear

Citation

Quotes Pedia. (2019, February 11). Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. – Franklin D. Roosevelt. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.quotespedia.org/authors/f/franklin-d-roosevelt/courage-is-not-the-absence-of-fear-but-rather-the-assessment-that-something-else-is-more-important-than-fear-franklin-d-roosevelt/

Pierce, W., & Pierce, K. (2019, April 10). Courage is Not The Absence of Fear Quote: Who Said It and What’s It’s Meaning? Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://elephantmanlondon.com/courage-is-not-the-absence-of-fear-quote-who-said-it-and-whats-its-meaning/

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Greenberg, M. (2012, August 23). The Six Attributes of Courage. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201208/the-six-attributes-courage

Fritscher, L. (n.d.). The Psychology Behind Fear. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-fear-2671696

Miller, J. (2012, November 05). How to be Courageous: A Complete Guide to Developing Courage. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/how-to-be-courageous-2.html

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