Courage is the spark that fuels our journey through life, and sometimes, we just need a little reminder that we have it within us. It’s not always about grand gestures; often, it’s about showing up, facing fears, and pushing through when things get tough. And the best part?
We’re not alone in this. Many great minds before us have shared their thoughts on courage, showing us that bravery comes in many forms.
So, when you need a little push, some motivation, or even just a spark of inspiration, turn to the wisdom of these legendary minds.
Here are 40 courage quotes to help you find the strength to push forward, face your fears, and take bold action in your life.
Ready to find your inner strength? Let’s get started.
Find Your Inner Strength with These Courage Quotes
Below, you’ll find a curated list of the best courage quotes from some of the world’s greatest minds. I hope these words inspire you as much as they’ve inspired many others. Enjoy!
1. “I suppose I’m quite courageous? And I guess people like to have their shit taken seriously. It’s nice when someone can come in and go, ‘Yeah, I’m going to commit to this.'” — Anne-Marie Duff
Courage isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, being real, and going all in—whether it’s in work, relationships, or personal growth.
2. “You have everything you need right inside you, in order to do great things.” — Barbara Humpton
Let’s be honest—how many times do we look outside for validation, when the real power is already within us? Courage is realizing you don’t need anyone’s permission to chase what’s yours.
3. “We don’t say that some of us are born to be kind, or some of us are born to be fair, or some of us are born to be trustworthy. We say it’s the responsibility of all of us. The same should be true of courageous action.” — Jim Detert
You don’t have to be ‘brave’ by nature to be courageous. You just have to make the choice, over and over again, to do what scares you.
4. “You have to be that authentic person and you have to stand up, to stand in the fire, even though you’re going to get criticized… and have the courage to do the right thing.” — Bill George
Courage isn’t about avoiding judgment. It’s about standing firm even when people don’t get it. Are you ready to handle the heat?
5. “A leader’s tolerance for discomfort is a huge indicator of their capacity for courage and empathy.” — Brené Brown
If you avoid discomfort, you avoid growth. Courage isn’t about always feeling strong—it’s about being willing to feel uncomfortable and still move forward.
6. “Courage is the force that makes our lives brilliant, like a great work of art.” — Daisaku Ikeda
Think of your life as a painting. Every bold stroke, every fearless decision—that’s what makes it worth looking at. Without courage, it’s just a blank canvas.
7. “Courage is the ultimate force that creates history.” — Daisaku Ikeda
Every world-changer, every trailblazer, every person who left their mark had one thing in common: they acted despite fear.
8. “Courage, strength, and wisdom well up in those who consciously take on everything as the protagonist and person responsible for achieving their goals.” — Daisaku Ikeda
No one is coming to save you. No one else is writing your story. Courage is accepting that you are the main character in your own life.
9. “If you summon your courage to challenge something, you’ll never be left with regret.” — Daisaku Ikeda
Regret stings way more than fear ever could. So what are you holding back on? If it matters, go for it.
10. “It’s important to have the courage to clearly say what needs to be said when it matters most.” — Daisaku Ikeda
The hardest words to say are often the most important. Whether it’s “I love you,” “I need help,” or “This isn’t working,” real courage is speaking your truth, no matter how scary it is.
11. “Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Fear is a natural response, but courage emerges when we prioritize our goals and values over that fear. It’s about recognizing that what we’re striving for holds greater significance than the apprehension we feel.
12. “Have the courage to act instead of react.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes
Instead of merely responding to situations, true courage involves taking proactive steps. It’s about initiating change and making decisions that align with our principles, rather than just going with the flow.
13. “Courage conquers all things: it even gives strength to the body.” — Ovid
Courage has a profound impact, not just mentally but physically. When we face challenges head-on, it invigorates us, providing the strength needed to overcome obstacles.
14. “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Fear can be overwhelming, but by reinforcing our resolve with courage, we can prevent it from taking over. It’s about constructing barriers that keep our fears at bay, allowing us to move forward.
15. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
Many challenges appear insurmountable at first glance. However, with determination and courage, we can achieve what once seemed unattainable.
16. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Both success and failure are temporary. What truly matters is the courage to persist, to keep pushing forward regardless of past outcomes.
17. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin
Our experiences and opportunities are directly linked to our willingness to be courageous. The more we dare, the broader and richer our lives become.
18. “The best protection any woman can have… is courage.” — Elizabeth Cady Stanton
In facing societal challenges and personal adversities, courage serves as the most reliable safeguard, empowering individuals to stand firm and advocate for themselves.
19. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” — Mark Twain
Courage doesn’t mean we don’t feel fear; it means we don’t let it control us. It’s about managing and overcoming fear to take necessary actions.
20. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Each time we confront our fears, we grow stronger and more self-assured, building a foundation for future challenges.
21. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” — Mary Anne Radmacher
Courage isn’t always about grand gestures or bold actions. Often, it’s the quiet determination to face another day, to keep going despite challenges, and to persist even when things are tough.
22. “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Progress isn’t about speed; it’s about persistence. No matter the pace, having the courage to continue moving forward, even in the face of adversity, is what truly counts.
23. “The bold adventurer succeeds the best.” — Ovid
Taking risks and stepping into the unknown often leads to the greatest rewards. Courageous individuals who dare to venture beyond their comfort zones are the ones who achieve remarkable success.
24. “I have a dream. I chase it. I fall. I learn. I get better. I keep marching on. And so it goes.” — Brendon Burchard
Courage involves pursuing dreams relentlessly, embracing failures as learning opportunities, and continually striving for improvement. It’s a continuous journey of growth and resilience.
25. “We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” — Oprah Winfrey
Transformation requires the courage to change. Staying in our comfort zones hinders growth; embracing change propels us toward our true potential.
26. “Fortune favors the bold.” — Latin Proverb
Taking bold actions and daring to step into uncertainty often leads to favorable outcomes. Courageous decisions can open doors to opportunities that caution might keep closed.
27. “Have courage to use your own reason.” — Immanuel Kant
Thinking independently and questioning the status quo requires bravery. Embracing one’s own reasoning is a courageous act that leads to enlightenment and personal growth.
28. “It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” — Theodore Roosevelt
True courage lies in taking action and facing challenges head-on, rather than standing on the sidelines. Those who dare to engage, despite potential failures, deserve the most respect.
29. “Our whole life is set up in the path of least resistance… There’s no growth in that.” — David Goggins
Avoiding discomfort may lead to stagnation. Embracing challenges and stepping out of comfort zones fosters personal growth and resilience.
30. “You have to really be courageous about your instincts and your ideas.” — Francis Ford Coppola
Trusting and acting upon one’s own instincts and ideas requires bravery.
31. “A great deal of talent is lost in this world for the want of a little courage.” — Sydney Smith
Many individuals possess remarkable abilities, but without the courage to pursue and showcase them, these talents often remain hidden. Embracing courage allows us to fully realize and share our potential with the world.
32. “With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.” — Keshavan Nair
Courage empowers us to step into the unknown, show kindness in challenging situations, and remain grounded. It serves as the bedrock of true integrity.
33. “Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.” — Author Unknown
Confronting our fears not only diminishes their power but also builds our inner strength and self-assurance. Every courageous act reinforces our ability to tackle future challenges.
34. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” — Ambrose Redmoon
True courage involves recognizing fears yet choosing to act because the underlying purpose or value outweighs the apprehension.
35. “Courage is the foundation of integrity.” — Mark Twain
Standing by our principles, especially when faced with adversity, requires courage. It’s this bravery that upholds our moral compass.
36. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” — Mark Twain
Bravery doesn’t mean the elimination of fear but rather controlling and overcoming it to act rightly.
37. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” — E.E. Cummings
Embracing our authentic selves, despite societal expectations or judgments, is a profound act of bravery.
38. “Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount.” — Clare Boothe Luce
Without courage, practicing other virtues becomes challenging. It acts as the support system enabling virtues like honesty, compassion, and perseverance to flourish.
39. “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” — John Wayne
Even when fear is overwhelming, choosing to move forward and face challenges head-on exemplifies true courage.
40. “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” — Winston Churchill
Bravery isn’t just about voicing our opinions but also about being open-minded and humble enough to listen to others.
Keep Pushing Forward
Courage is the driving force that helps us overcome challenges and pursue what truly matters. As you move forward in your journey, remember that every step you take—no matter how small—is a step toward growth. Keep these courage quotes close, and use them as fuel when you need it most.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out these quotes that encourage strength, resilience, and the power of the underdog:
- Underdog Quotes: Anything is Possible
- Elevate Quotes to Inspire Growth
- Quotes About Strength and Resilience
Keep pushing forward, and never forget that anything is possible when you have the courage to try.
