“Courage chooses noble action despite pain, knowing the loss of life’s best things.”
— Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book III, Chapter 9
(Translated by W.D. Ross)
Big Idea
Courage is like paying taxes 💸:
- Cowardice = Hide income to keep cash now → Penalties + jail risk.
- True Grit = Pay fully → Sleep well + build community roads.
Real-Life Scenarios
🏥 Medical Ethics
→ Brave：Report unsafe hospital practices → Lose job but save lives.
→ Fearful：Stay silent about errors → Keep salary but patients die.
🏠 Neighborhood Crisis
→ Brave：Shelter abused spouse → Risk angry neighbor → Save a life.
→ Selfish：Close blinds to avoid drama → Hear screams forever.
📉 Career Crossroads
→ Courageous：Quit toxic $200K job → Find purpose at half pay.
→ Timid：Stay for paycheck → Develop ulcers + divorce.
What You Can Do
- The “Receipt Test”
Before avoiding pain, ask:- “Will this choice leave a receipt I’m proud to show my kids?”
- Painful Wins Tracker
Log weekly brave losses:
Week 1：Lost friends by exposing lies → Gained self-respect ✅
Week 3：Returned lost wallet → Missed $500 but slept like a baby ✅ - Courage Compound
Start “noble action” savings account:
→ Every brave act = “Deposit” $1 → Watch moral wealth grow.