Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Physical courage is often seen in many, while moral courage is harder to find.
In this quote, Mark Twain highlights the distinction between physical courage, which may manifest in acts of bravery or heroism, and moral courage, which involves standing up for oneβs beliefs or ethics despite potential backlash. Twain suggests that while many people can perform brave acts in dangerous situations, the willingness to challenge societal norms or confront oneβs own conscience is a much rarer quality, reflecting on the complexities of human character and values.
Themes
CourageMoralityBraveryEthicsFear
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges, one might refer to Twain's quote to emphasize the importance of moral integrity.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes βThe easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
Mark TwainRead
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
Mark TwainRead
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
Mark TwainRead
In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
Mark TwainRead
Similar quotes
The best protection any woman can have... is courage.
Elizabeth Cady StantonRead
No other offense has ever been visited with such severe penalties as seeking to help the oppressed.
Clarence DarrowRead
Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.
Coretta Scott KingRead
Itβs better to be in the arena, getting stomped by the bull, than to be up in the stands or out in the parking lot.
Steven PressfieldRead
The next time you encounter fear, consider yourself lucky. This is where the courage comes in. Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is that they are intimate with fear. When I was first married, my husband said I was one of the bravest people he knew. When I asked him why, he said because I was a complete coward but went ahead and did things anyhow.
Pema ChodronRead
Resistance is not a peripheral opponent. Resistance arises from within. It is self-generated and self-perpetuated. resistance is the enemy within.
Steven PressfieldRead