--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who combats bravely is not therefore…" description: "\"Who combats bravely is not therefore brave, He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave: Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise,- His pride in reaso..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/alexander-pope-235_acting_who-combats-bravely-is-not-therefore-bra_564041.png" --- # Who combats bravely is not therefore brave, He dreads a… ![“Who combats bravely is not therefore brave, He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave: Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise,- His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/alexander-pope-235_acting_who-combats-bravely-is-not-therefore-bra_564041.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/alexander-pope-235_acting_who-combats-bravely-is-not-therefore-bra_564041.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/alexander-pope-235_acting_who-combats-bravely-is-not-therefore-bra_564041.png) > “Who combats bravely is not therefore brave, He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave: Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise,- His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bravery and wisdom are not guaranteed by mere thoughts or intentions; true courage and insight require action and humility. **In simple terms:** Thought alone isn’t bravery or wisdom; actions matter. Key Takeaway Act, don’t just think. Themes courage humility action wisdom Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - personal growth - conflict resolution - decision making Key Concepts philosophy ethics human nature Questions to Reflect On - Do you act on your convictions? - How do you balance thought and action? A Different Perspective Bravery without action can be empty; wisdom without humility can be prideful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Death bed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-bed/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise; His pride in reasoning, not in acting, lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-reasons-wisely-is-not-therefore-wise-his-pride-in-reasoning-not/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [He that humbles himself before the wise, also become wise, But pride brings a man down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ore-abayomi/he-that-humbles-himself-before-the-wise-also-become-wise-but-pride/) [Ore Abayomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ore-abayomi/) > [Here am I, dying of a hundred good symptoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/here-am-i-dying-of-a-hundred-good-symptoms/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Nor public flame, nor private, dares to shine; Nor human spark is left, nor glimpse divine! Lo! thy dread empire, Chaos! is restored; Light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/nor-public-flame-nor-private-dares-to-shine-nor-human-spark-is-left/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Whether or not you write well, write bravely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-stout/whether-or-not-you-write-well-write-bravely/) Bill Stout > [Press bravely onward! - not in vainYour generous trust in human kind;The good which bloodshed could not gainYour peaceful zeal shall find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/press-bravely-onward-not-in-vainyour-generous-trust-in-human-kind-the/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/yield-thou-not-to-adversity-but-press-on-the-more-bravely/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Never forget that life can only be nobly inspired and rightly lived if you take it bravely and gallantly, as a splendid adventure in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/never-forget-that-life-can-only-be-nobly-inspired-and-rightly-lived/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [In God's name let us go on bravely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-of-arc/in-god-s-name-let-us-go-on-bravely/) [Joan of Arc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-of-arc/) > [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous, there's really nothing to lose. There's no wrong you can't make right again, so be kinder to yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [The feeling of longing for home is born into us. That wonderful dream cannot become real without great faith - enough for the Holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/the-feeling-of-longing-for-home-is-born-into-us-that-wonderful-dream/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [“To live life bravely is to pass through a fire without hesitation even for a second when it is necessary to pass through it!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/to-live-life-bravely-is-to-pass-through-a-fire-without-hesitation/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“I'd sometimes pictured myself bravely sacrificing my life to save another, but my preference had always been that it be someone I actually liked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yahtzee-croshaw/i-d-sometimes-pictured-myself-bravely-sacrificing-my-life-to-save/) [Yahtzee Croshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yahtzee-croshaw/) > [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous; there's really nothing to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to-lose/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [There's never been a lack of men willing to die bravely. The trouble is to find a few able to live sensibly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-holtby/there-s-never-been-a-lack-of-men-willing-to-die-bravely-the-trouble/) [Winifred Holtby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-holtby/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. 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Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. 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