Each day is an opportunity to demonstrate the greatest of virtues 

One of my all-time favourite rock bands is Queen, a quartet that comprised four members who formed one of the most successful rock bands in history. The band comprised guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, bassist John Deacon, and the extraordinary lead singer, Farrokh Bulsara, famously known as Freddie Mercury. Freddie Mercury elevated the band’s performances to extraordinary heights through his incredible vocal range, power, and a captivating stage presence. 

Just like Freddie Mercury played a crucial role within Queen, courage holds a prominent position among the Stoic quartet of virtues: justice, temperance, wisdom, and courage. It is courage that empowers the other virtues, allowing them to reach their full potential and effectiveness. In times of stress, when we encounter risks or opposition from others, it is courage that allows wisdom, temperance, and justice to shine through and be exemplified. This is what C.S. Lewis likely meant in his book, The Screwtape Letters, when he stated, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality.” 

Cultivate courage as a habit

Courage, like a skill or talent, is not something that comes naturally to everyone. Practicing and developing courage is essential as no one is born inherently courageous. Individuals who may appear to lack courage might simply not have learned how to harness it effectively. In addition, the act of utilizing courage in one situation facilitates its application in subsequent ones. 

In my high school days, I sometimes shifted blame onto others if I made a mistake in the classroom or athletic field. However, there came a turning point for me when I took responsibility and finally admitted, “That’s on me, it’s my mistake, not his.” Owning up to my mistakes in this manner had a powerful effect on me. Not only did it empower me, but it also earned me praise from a teammate. It made me realize the importance of acknowledging my errors and gave me the confidence to continue doing so throughout my life. We should strive to cultivate courage as a habit, a dependable tool that we instinctively grasp whenever we find ourselves in need of it. 

Faith and courage are intertwined 

A man of courage is also full of faith. - Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, 3.7 

Cicero’s statement was not about spiritual or religious faith, but the belief in oneself – the confidence that one can handle any situation and rise above the circumstances. It encompasses the ability to accept both success and failure and to deal with them accordingly. The Stoics believed that moral courage is more important than physical courage, and that remaining steadfast in one’s principles is crucial. In simpler terms, it means having faith in yourself, even when those around you may lack the same conviction. 

Don’t leverage anger to be courageous 

In certain situations, when I coach people for dealing with high-stress situations, some may instinctively rely on anger to motivate themselves and gather the necessary courage. For example, while coaching an individual through a role play scenario prior to their important conversation with their manager, they felt angry. I had to advise them against doing so, as anger overshadows rationality and logic. Their key points would become clouded by their emotions. Seneca highlighted this very point when he stated, 

Courage, therefore, does not want the assistance of anger; it is sufficiently provided, armed, and prepared of itself. -  Seneca, Letters, 4.23

Acknowledge the courage of others 

I want to help people be less afraid. - Robin Williams, Robin’s Wish Documentary

I recently watched a documentary about the late comedian/actor Robin Williams and the years leading up to his passing. His wife Susan mentioned he wanted his legacy to inspire people to be less afraid. It is important for us to acknowledge courage, not only in children or teens, but in anyone we come across. By doing so, we can help cultivate this virtue within society. For instance, when my friend fearlessly dedicated himself to helping his son overcome drug addiction, I commended his courage, considering the immense effort he put in to support his child. In their writings to each other, Seneca often praised the virtues of his friend Lucilius. Let us follow his example and do the same for those around us!

Tap into courage 

As famously stated by Seneca, sometimes simply living becomes an act of bravery (Letter, 78.2). This especially holds true for individuals facing chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Yet even in mundane circumstances we can apply this virtue, maximizing this inner reservoir within ourselves. For when faced with substantial challenges, those daunting to our will and spirit, we will need to tap into it. As Marcus Aurelius states, 

Dig down within yourself. The fount of goodness lies within and will keep flowing as long as you keep digging. - Marcus, Aurelius,  Meditations, 7.59

Glenn Citerony is an Executive Wellness Coach who employs Stoic concepts to help improve people’s lives. He is passionate about Stoicism and its relevance to addressing today’s challenges. Glenn can be reached at glennciterony.com.

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