“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”
The quote is often attributed to Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, considered the founder of Taoism. However, the authenticity of this attribution is debated, as it doesn’t appear directly in his main work, the Tao Te Ching. Regardless, the quote is rich in meaning and aligns well with Taoist philosophy.
The quote draws a distinction between two types of courage:
- “Outward courage” – This refers to physical bravery, the kind often associated with heroic acts, facing danger, or risking one’s life. It’s the courage we typically think of in relation to soldiers, firefighters, or anyone who puts themselves in harm’s way.
- “Inner courage” – This is a more subtle form of bravery. It’s the courage to face life’s daily challenges, to confront our own fears and insecurities, to be vulnerable, to change, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to truly engage with the complexities of life.
The quote suggests that while it takes courage to face death or physical danger (to “dare to die”), it arguably takes even more courage to fully embrace life with all its uncertainties, pains, and challenges (to “dare to live”).
This idea aligns with many Eastern philosophies, which often emphasize the importance of inner strength and self-mastery. It suggests that true bravery isn’t just about grand, heroic gestures, but about the everyday courage to be authentic, to grow, to love, to fail, to get back up, and to fully engage with life.
In contemporary context, this quote might resonate with discussions about mental health, personal growth, and emotional intelligence. It reminds us that while physical acts of bravery are admirable, there’s also great valor in the less visible acts of courage we undertake in our daily lives – facing our fears, being vulnerable with others, standing up for our beliefs, or persevering through difficult times.
The quote encourages us to recognize and value this inner courage, suggesting that fully embracing life, with all its joys and sorrows, is perhaps the greatest act of bravery of all.