Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics Quote:“True courage is calm in sudden danger, revealing formed character.”​

“True courage is calm in sudden danger, revealing formed character.”​
— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 8
(Translated by W.D. Ross)

Big Idea

Courage is your brain’s crash detection system 📱🚗:

• Panic Mode = Slam brakes, swerve wildly → Cause pileup.
• True Grit = Steer steadily, alert emergency services → Save lives.

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​Real-Life Scenarios

👶 Parenting ER Dash

→ Revealed Character: Clean wound calmly while calling 911 → Kid trusts you forever.
→ Unformed: Scream “We’re all gonna die!” → Traumatizes everyone.

🖥️ Office Cyberattack

→ Calm Courage: Isolate servers + notify clients → Save company reputation.
→ Chaos: Delete files frantically → Lose critical data.

🎤 Public Speech Fail

→ Poise: Laugh off mic feedback → Audience admires resilience.
→ Flail: Run offstage red-faced → Viral shame meme.

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​What You Can Do

1. ​The “5-Second Reflex Test”​
   Practice daily: When startled (e.g., dropped glass), ask:
   • “Am I ​reacting (panic) or ​responding (calm)?”
2. ​Mental Fire Drills
   Visualize handling 3 sudden crises weekly:
   → Flat tire on highway
   → Friend’s overdose call
   → Social media hack
3. ​Composure Journal
   Track reactions to surprises:
   April 3: Yelled at barking dog ❌
   April 9: Guided lost tourist calmly ✅