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What is courage?" its chorus asked--and the song answered…

“What is courage?" its chorus asked--and the song answered, "It is to give when hope is gone, when there is no chance that men may call you a hero, when you have tried and failed and rise to try again." It asked the same of friendship, answering that "the friend stands beside you when you are right…” quote by Mercedes Lackey
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““What is courage?" its chorus asked--and the song answered, "It is to give when hope is gone, when there is no chance that men may call you a hero, when you have tried and failed and rise to try again." It asked the same of friendship, answering that "the friend stands beside you when you are right and all others despise you for it.””

Mercedes Lackey

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Courage is defined as giving despite hopelessness, and friendship is loyalty even when others reject you.

In simple terms: Courage means acting without hope; friendship means steadfast support.

Key Takeaway

Act despite fear; stay loyal.

Themes

courage friendship resilience

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • battlefield
  • personal failure
  • social ostracism

Key Concepts

heroism loyalty perseverance

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does perseverance become stubbornness?
  • How do you know when to support versus enable?
A Different Perspective

Courage can lead to reckless risk; loyalty may enable toxic relationships.

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